That's Amaury News and Commentary – Page 2

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:Yasiel Puig signs contract in Canada while awaiting sentence in the US

Published on April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Yasiel Puig of Team Venezuela heads to first base after being walked against Curacao in the third inning of the Caribbean Series on Feb 2, 2024. (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

Yasiel Puig signs contract in Canada while awaiting sentence in the US

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Cuban-born ex-Major League star recently signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the CBL (Canadian Baseball League).

Puig is currently awaiting sentencing following his February 2026 conviction on federal charges. On February 6, he was found guilty by a Federal Grand Jury of obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators. These charges stem from a 2019 investigation into an illegal sports gambling operation run by Wayne Nix, where Puig placed over 900 bets on sports, including tennis, football, and Basketball.

Yasiel Puig finds himself in quite a conundrum

The 2026 season for the Canadian Baseball League (CBL)—formerly the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL)—opens on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Mother’s Day.

The inaugural season as the rebranded, fully professional CBL begins with a matchup between the Kitchener Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs (where Yasiel Puig is expected to play) at Christie Pts in Toronto.

The situation, Puig is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2026, which is a couple of weeks after he begins playing in Canada with the Maple Leafs. Those might be the last games of professional baseball that the talented Cuban player will see for a while, since he faces up to 15 years in Federal Prison

The sentencing is set to take place in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.

Unfortunate story for a baseball player who came into the major leagues with great talent and a lot of promise

MLB career. Puig played in 861 regular-season games with the LA Dodgers (2013-2018) and the Cleveland Indians, where he played his final game on September 27, 2019.

Over seven seasons, he batted .277 with 132 home runs, 415 RBI, and 441 runs scored.
Position: Primarily played right field, but also saw time in center and left field.
Debut/Last Game: He debuted on June 3, 2013, and played his final MLB game on September 27, 2019.
As a braodcaster with the LA Angels for FOX SPORT LA, I interviewed Yasiel in one ocassion,and for our pregame show when the Dodgers were visiting Angel Stadium at the time Yasiel Puig was the player everybody was talking about.

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (2013–2018), Cincinnati Reds (2019), and Cleveland Indians (2019).
Career Stats: Over seven seasons, he batted .277 with 132 home runs, 415 RBI, and 441 runs scored.
Position: Primarily played right field, but also saw time in center and left field.
Debut/Last Game: He debuted on June 3, 2013, and played his final MLB game on September 27, 2019.

“Wild Horse” -Legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully nicknamed Yasiel Puig the “Wild Horse” shortly after his 2013 debut to describe his fearless, energetic, and often undisciplined style of play.

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.

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Strikeout rates high is pitch clock helping offense?; Cubs Counsell says it’s bizzare Dodgers carrying 14 pitchers over MLB maximum; plus more new

Published on April 22, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell stands for the national anthem on opening day Thu Mar 26, 2026 against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Counsell is questioning why the Los Angeles Dodgers are allowed to have one pitcher over the MLB maxium of 13 pitchers giving LA 14 (AP photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 With strikeout rates still high across Major League Baseball, are recent rule changes (like the pitch clock and shift ban) actually improving offensive production, or do pitchers still have the upper hand?

#2 Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell finds it strange that the Los Angeles Dodgers are allowed to carry 14 pitchers while the MLB maximum for pitchers on a roster is 13. The Dodgers use Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher and a designated hitter on his off days from pitching so it would seem Ohtani is not counted as being on the pitching staff. The underlying talk has been the Dodgers are an exception because Ohtani is a cash cow and huge draw for baseball so MLB looks the other way on the 13 maxium pitchers on a roster rule.

#3 With the Sacramento A’s recent success especially against some competive teams and recent series wins against a four game 2-2 split with Texas, winning two out of three with Chciago White Sox and taking the first of a three game series from the always tough Seattle Mariners and are first place in the AL West can this A’s team compete this season.

#4 The Mets continue to struggle losing their 12th straight game to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. Francisco Lindor defened his manager Carlos Mendoza saying he’s not the problem the team just isn’t putting it together. The players like Lindor are standing up for Mendoza.

#5 Young Stars Taking Over Players like Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson are becoming faces of the league—how important is youth movement to maintaining fan interest and growing the sport globally?

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LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s With this Offense, they deserve better Pitching

Published on April 16, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former San Diego Padres top pick Leo De Vries has been promoted by the Sacramento A’s and is a promising future hopeful for the A’s (Sports Illustrated photo)

A’s: With this Offense, they deserve better Pitching –

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

I get it, the Sacramento A’s plan is to keep improving, so by the time they open their new digs in Las Vegas, they can be real contenders. My broadcast partner, Manolo Hernández-Douen, and I talked about that during the 2024 season, when the team had a legendary Spanish-language radio station in the Bay Area, and last season in Oakland. You might say, “Oh, that is disrespectful to Sacramento”, but there is no mystery theater here.

The A’s are leasing Sacramento for a couple of years (not counting 2027), with a possible owners’ lockout looming. They are playing well so far in their young 2026 season, with their manager, Mark Kotsay, who has continued to do a good job since he was hired in December 2021.

The team improved their pitching during the off-season and acquired Aaron Civale, and relievers Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr. to provide experience. Overall, this 2026 A’s club is a scrappy team with very young and exciting hitters like Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz. They are on the up and up, and could surprise a lot of people in baseball. I just wish they had a more settled, experienced pitching rotation and overall pitching to go along with that juicy lineup.

Yes, I like the A’s lineup; however, their rotation with these five starters, Severino, Springs, Civale, López, and Morales, is ranked #26 among the 30 MLB teams by Sports Illustrated. Ironically, the last “big pitcher: the A’s lost was not a starter, but a reliever, Mason Miller, the Rolls-Royce of closers, who is now with the Padres, however this was a trade that could bring very good dividends to the young Athletics in the future, especially young shortstop Leo De Vries among with three other players, all pitchers who came to the A’s in the trade. Leodalis “Leo” De Vries is a 20-year-old Dominican shortstop who was ranked No.4 prospect in baseball as recently as this month of April 2026.

A good friend of mine and ex-Oakland A’s fan asked me recently, “Are they going to trade a player for a good starting pitcher? I have no idea. Starters are not cheap; for example, Framber Valdéz signed a 3-year, $115 million contract with Detroit this year.

This version of the A’s is exciting and promising; they have a “maybe” chance of making the postseason. However, in my opinion, their pitching is still not at the level to be considered a real contender, because it is very simple; it all starts with pitching. If you are one of their fans, are you happy so far with the A’s?

Of course. Here is one reason: in April, the Athletics completed their first-ever series sweep of the New York Mets.

I will end with a quote from one of my favorite major league managers of all time, who happens to be my original favorite team as a kid, the Baltimore Orioles. It says a lot about pitching. . The reason you win or lose is darn near always the same – pitching.” — Earl Weaver

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LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Jackie Robinson Day

Published on April 15, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Jackie Robinson signs autographs for fans at spring training at Ciudad Trujillo now Santo Domingto in the Dominican Republic on Mar 6, 1948 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Baseball’s color barrier when he made his historic MLB debut. Every April 15th, baseball honors Jackie’s legacy by celebrating his life, values, and accomplishments. MLB officially declared April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day in 2004.

Since 2009, all players, coaches, and managers across MLB have worn number 42. April 15 is not only celebrated in baseball, but also in the United States as a historical day. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. features Jackie Robinson heavily and often hosts events for Jackie Robinson Day (April 15), including the Sports exhibit “Leveling the Playing Field.”

Jackie’s character was much more important than his batting average.” — Hank Aaron, Hall of Fame outfielder. “Jackie Robinson was the best athlete ever to play Major League Baseball.” — Ralph Kinner, Hall of Fame outfielder “There was never a man in the game who could put mind and muscle together quicker and with better judgment than Robinson.”

— Branch Rickey, Dodgers GM. “Jackie was the only person without prejudice I ever met.” — Buck O’Neil Negro League teammate.

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Braves have not lost a series so far this season; Ohtani record setter could be in All Time greats circle; plus more

Published on April 14, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Atlanta Braves Mauricio Dubon clouts out a second inning RBI double against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Mon Apr 13, 2026 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Atlanta Braves remain unbeaten in series play so far—are they the early favorites for the World Series, or is it too soon to tell?

#2 Shohei Ohtani continues delivering historic-level performances—how is his 2026 start shaping his long-term legacy among all-time greats?

#3The Houston Astros are dealing with injuries, poor pitching, and internal issues—how serious is this early-season “crisis,” and can they recover?

#4 The Sacramento A’s came off a five game win streak defeating the New York Yankees twice and the New York Mets in a three game sweep but at home they continue to struggle losing to the Texas Rangers to open a six game homestand in Sacramento in a Monday night laugher 8-1. Is there a difference playing away than at home for the A’s?

#5 Anaheim Angels star Mike Trout had been struggling before the pandemic and battled injuries since 2019. Seven years later Trout had a big break out game hitting two home runs his 407th and 408th of his career that helped tie up the game 7-7 and later a home that got the Angels the lead. The New York Yankees however got a walk off wild pitch that allowed the Yankees Jose Caballero to score the game winning run. Despite the loss Trout is showing flashes of his old talent once again.

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Mason Miller, a closer with Cy Young Award potential

Published on April 12, 2026April 12, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller exhalts after shutting down another team in the closer role (San Diego Union photo)

Mason Miller, a closer with Cy Young Award potential

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On July 2025, the San Diego Padres acquired closer Mason Miller, together with starter J.P Sears, from the Oakland A’s. As of today, April 13, 2026, Mason Miller has saved four (4) of the ten games won by the Padres.

During the 2024 All-Star Game, representing the Oakland A’s, Miller pitched in relief. He did not save the game, but earned the win for the American League, and during that game, he threw the fastest pitch in All-Star Game history (103.6 mph) since pitch-tracking began in 2008, and struck out batters like Shohei Ohtani.

By the way, Miller was the sole A’s representative during that All-Star Game held at Arlington, Texas. He entered in the fifth inning and was credited with the victory, becoming the first rookie to win an ASG since 1954. Who threw the fastest pitch in All-Star Game history prior to Mason Miller? Aroldis Chapman had previously held the record with a 103.4 mph fastball.

Since last season the San Diego Padres reliever is as dominant thrower as there is in the game, consistently hitting over 104 mph in 2025 and also set a Major League record in ther 2025 playoffs with a 104.5 strikeout which is the fastest postseason pitch of the tracking era, at 37 years of age, his best years are ahead,he has cool head and is a very unasuming player, I remember covering him with the A’s, he did show one thing from the beginning,confidence.

This season, he could have the type of season that rivals Cy Young Award-winning starting pitchers, and he could have to contend with some great starters. Miller is an elite high-velocity closer with his 4-seam fastball, which he uses almost 50% of the time; a great slider to go with it, which he throws over 50%; and, for “good measure,” he makes hitters come off their uniforms when he throws a change-up. During his sensational career, Mariano Rivera, the best ever with 652 saves, received votes for the Cy Young Award, finishing in the top-three in voting four times, but never won it.

Today, Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres, the pride of Pittsburgh, PA, is the Rolls-Royce of closers in Major League Baseball. It’s easy to see why his nickname is “The Reaper.”

Quote: “The best pitchers have a short-term memory and a bulletproof confidence.” — Greg Maddux

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: This Baseball star is in Five Halls of Fame

Published on April 10, 2026April 12, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Martin “El Immortal” Dihigo who played in the Negro Leagues and is in five separate Hall of Fames is the focus of That’s Amaury News and Commentary (photo from Cooperstown Expert)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: This Baseball star is in Five Halls of Fame

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Martin Dihigo “El Immortal,” also known as “El Maestro,” born in Cuba (1906-1971), a legendary star and Negro League player, has been inducted into five (5) separate baseball halls of fame: Cuba, México, the United States, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. Also in the United States, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1958 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The five Hall of Fames are the most in history for a baseball player.

Dihigo is arguably the greatest Negro League player. He played all nine positions and was a standout pitcher and hitter. He managed the New York Cubans of the Negro Leagues from 1935 to 1936. The New York Cubans were founded by fellow Cuban Alejandro Pompez; the team featured Cuban and Latin American players of African descent. The New York Cubans won their only Negro League World Series championship in 1947. Led by manager Josá Maria Fernández and stars like Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso and Luis Tiant Sr., they defeated the Cleveland Buckeyes four games to one (with one tie) to secure the title.

One of the most incredible seasons for any professional baseball player in history was in 1938 in the Mexican League; Martin Dihigo won the Triple Crown as a pitcher in victories, strikeouts, and earned-run average. Then, that same season, as a hitter won the batting title with a .387 average. He did all that with the Aguila de Veracruz. In one game in México, On August 5, 1939, he struck out 22 batters during a 13-inning game, wearing the uniform of the Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz.

Dihigo retired at 45 years of age and died of heart trouble in Cienfuegos, Cuba, on May 20, 1971. He was 65 years old. He died on Cuba’s Independence Day. May 20, 1902, is Cuba’s Independence Day from Spain.

Before Shohei Ohtani, Cubans revered Martín Dihigo as the first true two-way player who dominated as both a pitcher and a batter in the professional league

Historical Note: The first documented, official baseball game in Cuba took place on December 27, 1874, at the Palmar de Junco field in Pueblo Nuevo, Matanzas. Habana defeated Matanzas 51–9 in a seven-inning match. The field is considered the cradle of Cuban baseball and the world’s oldest active stadium.

Quote: Orestres Miñoso (All-Star): “He was a big man, but he was big in all ways, as a player, as a manager, as a teacher, as a man”.

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Notebook– Yoenis Céspedes Great Escape from Cuba

Published on April 6, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former MLB player Yoenis Cespedes takes a cut at the plate for Team Cuba during the World Baseball Classic on Mar 8, 2023 at Taichung International Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

From My Notebook: Yoenis Céspedes Great Escape from Cuba

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In 2011, Yoenis Céspedes was leading the Cuban league in home runs, after being assigned to the “C team”, considered the worst in the roster, then he decided to defect in the summer of that year. He took a 23-hour speedboat ride to the Dominican Republic, accompanied by six other people (including family members), where he established residency and became a free agent. Why the Dominican Republic?

Unlike Cuba, which is a communist system with no real freedom for its citizens and repression (including imprisonment), the Dominican Republic is a democracy, and just like Cuba, its national sport is baseball. The Cuban players are welcomed and respected. Céspedes lived in the Dominican Republic for approximately seven to eight months before signing his first major league contract with the Oakland A’s in March 2012, just after he gained free agent status and obtained his dream of playing in the Major Leagues, the best baseball league in the world.

As a rookie in the major leagues with the A’s, I met him for the first time in A’s Spring Training in Arizona. In 2012, he was next to Bartolo Colón, the veteran pitcher who was acquired by the A’s and, at the time, was in his 15th season in the majors. They developed a good relationship; Colón was “schooling” Céspedes about what he could expect in the major leagues.

Also, Yoenis told me Colón was his interpreter. This was four years before Commissioner Manfred sent a directive to all 30 MLB teams to hire an interpreter for their Spanish-speaking players. Covering the A’s as their radio play-by-play broadcaster, I developed a very good relationship with Yoenis Céspedes, and on one occasion, I was asked by the team to be his interpreter during A’s fans reunion, especially with A’s season ticket owners.

Yoenis truly liked Oakland; he told me many times he was comfortable with the people of Oakland, and he developed a good relationship with the fan base. He told me this, “Estaría contento de pasar toda mi carrera aqui en Oakland,” which translates to “I would be happy to spend my whole career here in Oakland.” But it was not meant to be, I believe the organization never really appreciated the Cuban player, he was a total package, he hit, hit for power, played great left field with a good, accurate arm.

Nevertheless, he did not stay much longer in Oakland and was traded to the Boston Red Sox on July 31, 2014, in exchange for pitcher Jon Lester. The team wanted an experienced pitcher for a postseason run. I was not surprised he was traded because the A’s anticipated they would lose him to free agency anyway. I think the A’s did not want to pay him the money his agent would be asking.

Yoenis Céspedes was a very popular Cuban player with the A’s, just like another Cuban, José Canseco, many years before. The A’s history with Cuban players is plenty; among others, there was also an excellent shortstop, three-time World Champion, Dagoberto Blanco (Campy) Campaneris, one of owner Charlie Finley’s favorite players. In my opinion, the best ever shortstop in Oakland A’s history.

Yoenis Céspedes today: Retired, Living in Port St.Lucie, Florida, listing his 380-acre ranch for a cool $30 million, with a 12-stall horse stable, a professional batting cage, a private barber shop, a game processing facility for hunting, and a 40X20 foot heated pool. I mean…what else do you need? just for $30 Million, that’s a bargain!.

Yoenis Céspedes MLB career: 8 Years, Played for Oakland, Boston, Detroit, NY(Mets) — .273 average—165 home runs–528 RBI — Two-time All Star 2014 and 2016— Homerun Derby Champion 2013-2014—2015 AL Gold Glove—2026 NL; Silver Slugger

Quote from Cuban-born pitcher Luis Tiant: “If we lose today, it will be over my dead body. They’ll have to leave me face down on the mound”.

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: MLB’s first game of the season Yankees vs. Giants; Pirates name fifth starter Mlodzinski; plus more news

Published on March 24, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello is making his MLB debuting straight out of coaching college baseball in Tennessee (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 With the 2026 MLB season set to begin this week (including an early Yankees–Giants matchup), which team storyline do you find most compelling heading into Opening Day, and why?

#2 New Leadership Impact How might Tony Vitello’s transition from college baseball to managing the San Francisco Giants affect the team’s performance and clubhouse culture this season?

#3 Roster Decisions & Breakout Players What do late spring training decisions—like the Pirates naming Carmen Mlodzinski as their fifth starter—tell us about how teams evaluate talent and readiness before Opening Day?

#4 Contenders & Predictions The Yankees are projected as strong playoff contenders again with key players returning. What factors will be most important in determining whether they meet expectations in 2026?

#5 League-Wide Trends From contract extensions (like the Blue Jays’ leadership) to roster cuts and prospect development, what broader trends do you see shaping MLB teams just days before the season begins?

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Second Season in Sacramento “It is what it is”

Published on March 23, 2026March 23, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s opening day pitcher Luis Severino goes to the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto on Fri Mar 27, 2026 (AP News photo)

A’s Second Season in Sacramento: “It is what it is”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Athletics open their 2026 season on March 27 in Toronto against the American League Champions, the Blue Jays, on a five-game road trip to open the new season, three in Toronto and two in Atlanta, then return home on April 3 for their first home game of the new season against the Houston Astros.

The city of Sacramento during its first season (2025) was not what the team expected. The team drew 768,464 fans at their 2025 Sacramento debut, the lowest in MLB, averaging 9,487 fans per game at Sutter Health Park. Note: LA Dodgers Stadium parking lot regularly accommodates 18,000 cars.

Seems like the A’s never took Sacramento seriously, scheduled to play there for only three years, like leasing a car, for 2025-26-27, and then move to the very hot confines of Las Vegas, Nevada. The A’s never joined the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce (English or Spanish).

The people of Sacramento are “lukewarm” about this team. The media coverage of the Athletics writes about a team that has not obviously embraced the area, and they often report on that lack of enthusiasm. Some expected A’s fans to travel from Oakland and other Bay Area cities/areas to see the A’s play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento..

Some A’s fans might have left the Bay Area for Sacramento, seeking a cheaper cost of living, but there are not enough of those fans to fill seats in Sacramento. A’s team performance on the field was about what I expected, an exciting offense and…that’s it. Not a serious contender.

When your ace in the starting rotation is Luis Severino (I like Luis he is a good guy), they are totally exposed at their level of pitching, which is not at the level of a serious contender. Players have complained about the facilities in Sacramento, but they get paid to wear a major-league uniform and play in a minor-league park.

The largest minority group in the Sacramento area is Hispanic, representing roughly 24–30% of the population. Within the City of Sacramento specifically, Hispanic residents are the largest minority. In 2025, A’s reduced the Spanish radio broadcast to one broadcaster, pure tokenism, so the team can say: “yes, we have a Spanish broadcast”, disrespect to a sport whose some of their biggest stars are Hispanic and over 30% of all players in MLB are Latinos.

Spanish is the second language of baseball and in the US overall. But for the A’s, they might as well be playing in West Virginia, the smallest Latino population in the US. There is little local excitement, and ticket sales for the 2026 season were immediately met with flash sales, such as “No Fees” promotions for April and May, highlighting a lack of demand.

So, in simple language, it is a bleak situation The very common phrase “it is what it is” signifies acceptance of an unchangeable, difficult situation, used commonly in business, politics, and sports, and sometimes bad news in medical reports, since the 1990’s, and in the case of the 2026 version of the Athletics, It is what it is.

SF Gate recent headline: The A’s pitiful attendance now hurting Sacramento’s other baseball team.

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