Tag: That's Amaury News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Oakland A’s at San Francisco-One more time

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The Oakland A’s will play the San Francisco Giants for the last time at Oracle Park in San Francisco in a two game series starting Tue Jul 30, 2024 (photo of the split hat by Redditt)

Oakland A’s at San Francisco -One More Time-

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–2024 is a historic year for the Oakland Athletics and everything they do; it is the last time an Oakland team, soon to be Sacramento, followed by Las Vegas or God knows where else. The lavish A’s vs. Giants rivalry, The Bay Series at San Francisco will have a last gasp this Tuesday and Wednesday at Pac Bell Park, SBC Park, ATT Park, and Oracle Park today.

Since the first game at this ‘San Francisco by the Bay Park,’ on April 11, 2000, vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants have won their three World Series in San Francisco at this picturesque place that is also nicknamed “The Phone Booth”, others call it “The Park Bonds Build” (a take on Yankee Stadium and The Park Ruth build”.

Although this is not the last time the Oakland A’s will play the Giants this 2024 season, since the Giants will visit the Oakland Coliseum on August 17-18, the series here at Oracle will bring many memories for both sides of the bay and the great rivalry of two teams that also played a World Series in 1989, and fans collecting all types of souvenirs, including those unique hats, half A’s and half Giants, that can only be sold here in a very tolerant Bay Area, where Peace and Love were invented in the 1960s, since nobody could think of the two New York City teams, Yankees and Mets, having a cap that shares both logos, that is not possible in New York. A’s vs Giants, One More Time in San Francisco Both games on KIQI 1010/990AM covering the Bay Area.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish 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: Bally’s merger helped A’s plan for Las Vegas

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The Tropicana is seen in the process of demolition on the Strip in Las Vegas Monday, July 22, 2024. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Bally’s merger helped A’s plan for Las Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As the Oakland A’s prepare to end their over half-century playing at the Oakland Coliseum this 2024, things in Las Vegas are moving with Bally’s corporation. And according to Bally’s Corp CEO Soo Kim, “It’s business as usual.”

So what does this mean? According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, which has been the best source of information regarding the proposed A’s relocating to Las Vegas, Kim (who managed the hedge fund) bought out Bally’s in an announced $4.6 billion deal.

With this deal, Bally’s owns the rights to develop the 35-acre Tropicana site. Thursday’s announcement moved the A’s closer to the potential move, as the Tropicana is now scheduled to be demolished in October.

Bally’s owns the rights to develop the 35-acre site for the proposed A’s ballpark. According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, the A’s are negotiating and finalizing a trio of agreements with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority that would make up to $380 million in public funding available to the team to finance a portion of the stadium’s costs.

Steve Hill, the Stadium Authority Chairman, said last week that he expects the work of those agreements, the development, lease, and non-relocation, to go until about December when they will be approved as the A’s enter into a contract with Clark County.

Once those agreements are approved, the A’s must also spend the first $100 million on the ballpark project before the public money is available. According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, the A’s will likely use just $350 million of the available $380 million in public funds.

Plans call for the construction of the A’s stadium to begin in April and be completed in time for the 2028 MLB season. Meanwhile, the A’s are scheduled to play the interim year of 2025-2027 at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, as their tenure at the Oakland Coliseum ends September 26 against the Texas Rangers.

Like everything in a free enterprise capitalist Democracy, money rules, and like one: “philosopher” said, “money talks and BS walks”. Which is paraphrasing corrupt Democrat Congressman Michael Meyers in the 1980 Abscam probe.

It means, pay me a bribe or go for a walk, i.e., I’m not listening to you. It is similar to the “Pay to Play” corruption scheme in various parts of the country. “Pay to Play” is also why the FBI has investigated the Mayor of Oakland Sheng Thao.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer 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: 2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum (Part IX)

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1989 World Series logo (image from baseball.wikia.com)

2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum (Part IX)

A’s vs. Giants rivalry

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Giants arrived in San Francisco from New York in 1958; ten years later, the A’s arrived from Kansas City in Oakland. The Bay Area rivalry between Oakland and San Francisco has grown, drawing huge crowds at the stadiums on both sides of the Bay.

The rivalry became more intense (but still friendly) after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake on October 17, 1989, a few minutes past five in the afternoon, when the ground shook at Candlestick Park.

It all began at Oakland. The first two games of the World Series took place at the Oakland Coliseum; the Athletics won 5-0 and 5-1. We moved to San Francisco’s Candlestick Park for games three and four, but on Game three, a surprise, when the earth moved violently with a 7.1 intensity earthquake (later downgraded to a 6.9), still enough for interim Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent to postpone the World Series for some 11 days until both teams resumed the action in early October for games three and four, which the A’s also won 13-7 and 6-5.

For us, broadcasting that classic was an experience we will never forget for the rest of our lives. This is the first and only time a World Series has been stopped and postponed because of an Earthquake. Note: The Giants returned to the World Series in 2002 (13 years later) and lost to the Anaheim Angels 4 games to 3.

The famous and historic 1989 World Series, which began at the Oakland Coliseum, was the first held there since the team won the last of three consecutive World Series in 1974. Fifteen years later, the Oakland A’s were the talk of baseball, and the Oakland Coliseum was “the place to be.” Coliseum attendance in the 1989 regular season was 2,667,225.

The Good Old Days at the Oakland Coliseum, as we remember this 2024, a historic year and the last season they will play at this huge facility,

Schedule: The Oakland A’s will face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on July 30-31. The last time these Bay Area rivals will face each other is next August 17-18 at the Oakland Coliseum. All these games will air live in Spanish on KIQI 1010AM Bay Area/990AM Sacramento, on the Oakland A’s Spanish Radio Network.

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: Great Coliseum Memories, Star players and World Series years

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1972 World Champion Oakland A’s cover on Sports Illustrated part of the memories of the A’s years at the Oakland Coliseum as the club leaves for Sacramento after the 2024 season (Sports Illustrated cover file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amuary, just two months and two weeks left before the Oakland A’s move to Sacramento for the next four years. Their last game in Oakland will be on September 26th against Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers. After playing at the Oakland Coliseum since 1968 it all comes to an end that day.

#2 Just wanted to jog your memory of some of the happier and great years at the Coliseum when the A’s had that remarkable run in 1972 through 1974 winning three straight World Series.

#3 We can go through some of the great names of the players who were a part of those World’s Championship teams. The A’s just had an All Star team and they could slug for the fence with Joe Rudi, Gene Tenace, Ray Fosse, Reggie Jackson, Mike Epstein, Dick Green, Sal Bando, Billy North and George Hendrick to name a few.

#4 The A’s really had a ace starting staff during those days with Catfish Hunter, Vida Blue, Ken Holtzman, and Blue Moon Odom. Manager Dick Williams of the 1972 and 1973 teams had the confidence to go in with this pitching staff and win ball games.

#5 Amaury talk about A’s lead off hitter Bert Campaneris who played shortstop on all three championship teams and should go down in history as the best shortstop in Oakland A’s history?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Brent Rooker big candidate for Trade

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Oakland A’s slugger Brent Rooker is one of the most requested players from MLB teams inquiring about his services as the trade deadline approaches on Jul 30th. Rooker could help a club in it’s post season bid and could be with another club before the end of July. (Athletics Nation file photo)

A’s Brent Rooker big candidate for Trade

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, just nine days from Monday, and the A’s have one of the most underrated power hitters in the game. His name is Brent Rooker, and this outfielder, who is mostly a Designated Hitter for the Oakland A’s, is wanted by many contending teams for the last two months of the season.

Rooker should have been at last week’s All-Star Game in Texas. He was an All-Star in 2023. Rooker is having an even better season this year, with an excellent probability of hitting 35 to 40 home runs and driving in close to 100 runs, which will be his best season ever.

In their rebuilding process, the Oakland A’s have been developing young players like Zack Gelof, 24, Lawrence Butler, 24, J.J Bleday, 26, Shea Langeliers, 26, Tyler Soderstrom, 22, plus others, especially the young pitching staff. Rooker is arbitration-eligible for the next three years, but he turns 30 in November, so he might not be in the A’s plans for the A’s future with the younger guys playing in the current lineup.

Brent Rooker 2023: .246 with 30 homeruns, 69 runs batted-in. He played in 137 games.

2024 Brent Rooker with 61 games left this season: .294, 22 homeruns and 67 runs batted in.

Today, the A’s begin a three-game series against the first-place Houston Astros, and Brent Rooker is the DH.

The A’s are sellers again as we approach this trade deadline, and there are teams in search of players with Rooker’s type of power. If they trade him, they should get a handsome return, probably with much younger players, which fits the A’s plan. There are a lot of contenders looking to add offense for the last part of the season. It is very possible that Brent Rooker won’t finish this season with the Green and Gold.

Mason Miller? I doubt he will go. However, never put it past the A’s because if they get a haul of players from this tremendous young closer arm, then “it is on.” Many teams are trying to win the World Series this October. The A’s are not one of them, but they are always: “open for business,” especially at this time of the year when the trade deadline is around the corner.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish play by play lead announcer on the A’s Spanish Radio Network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburgh and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum (Part VIII) Krazy George and The Wave

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Krazy George works the Oakland Coliseum crowds in the 1980s during Oakland A’s games (photo by WBUR)

2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum (Part VIII) Krazy George and The Wave

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

For over half a century, the Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum has been the home of the Oakland A’s. In addition to all the great games, including postseasons, World Series, and one All-Star Game, many colorful characters have been among the fans in attendance.

One person stands out, one big A’s fan and professional cheerleader, and his name is Krazy George Henderson, known to all as “Krazy George. Krazy George originated ‘the wave’. On October 15, 1981, Krazy George (80 years old this year) initiated the first wave among Oakland A’s fans.

It was recorded during a playoff game between the New York Yankees and the Oakland A’s. This moment was captured in history and seen by a national television audience. 1981 is one of the years Billy Martin managed the Oakland A’s, and at the time when Krazy George started the wave, I thought it was just another A’s fan but little did I know at that time he would become a professional cheerleader, the one that invented the wave for thousands and thousands of fans in attendance. Although it is generically organized, the wave still happens in many stadiums.

Krazy George was a local personality. In 1968, he was a student at Cal State San José and a member of the National Championship Judo team. After graduating, he continued cheerleading for local sporting events. He was famous for leading cheers with his hand drum in the early 1970s. He was also a High School teacher in Santa Clara.

The California Golden Seals of the National Hockey League (who played their home games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena) hired Krazy George as a cheerleader. Krazy George Henderson worked as a professional cheerleader for various professional organizations. He was also hired for private events.

Another colorful character at A’s games was Stacy Samuels, Banjo Man, a Bay Area resident from Fairfax who attended many San Francisco 49ers games during history. Banjo Man stopped attending A’s games at the Oakland Coliseum during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was great fun. He would stop and play his happy Banjo right in front of our crowd microphone under our broadcast booth with his propelled head beanie.

If you wonder what happened to Krazy George Henderson, he is still around, enjoying his job. He has appeared at the San José Earthquake games in San José 2024 and at a San José State women’s volleyball game. A pioneer who invented the wave at the Oakland A’s games, Krazy George Henderson was a historic personality for Oakland A’s for over 50 years of fun at the Oakland Coliseum.

El Loco George es parte de la historia de los Atléticos en Oakland.

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

MLB All Star Game/That’s Amaury News Commentary podcast: National League and American League All Stars battle in the Mid Summer Classic tonight

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Los Angeles Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez (37) slugged 14 Home Run Derby home runs just edging the Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr who had 13 home runs at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Mon Jul 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Teoscar Hernandez became the first Los Angeles Dodger to win the home run derby winner at the All Star Game contest on Monday at Globe Life Field. Hernandez edging out the Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr 14-13.

#2 Amaury, there were a number of hitters invited to the Home Run Derby but took a pass saying it could hurt a player and it could effect their swing going into the second half of the season.

#3 On the national stage at the Home Run Derby four time Grammy nominated artist Ingrid Andress’ rendition of the national anthem almost overshadowed the derby itself. Andress was off key during her rendition but there have been worse versions sang. But since this was in front of a national audience at the Home Run Derby it was a discussion.

#4 The American League announced they are starting Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes to start the All Star Game. Burnes is 9-4 with 2.93 ERA. The Orioles have had much luck this season occupying first place in the AL East and Burnes has been one of the O’s best starting pitchers.

#5 Each time you get to the All Star Game it give you a chance to ask questions of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and as usual the questions of the Oakland A’s playing at a minor league facility in Sacramento should come up. Reporters who have walked around at Sutter Health Park said it’s going to be challenging to fit all the media, fans, and players accommodations during A’s home games in Sacramento and games are expected to be sold out with almost no room in the ballpark.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Last Hurrah September 26 at the Coliseum will be a Sellout

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This is what the Oakland Coliseum would look like with a sellout crowd expected for the very last Oakland Game on Thu Sep 26, 2024 before the teams moves to Sacramento for the 2025 season (MLB photo file)

The Last Hurrah. September 26 at the Coliseum will be a Sellout

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Undoubtedly, the last game of the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on September 26, against the previous World Champion Texas Rangers, the first pitch scheduled at 12:37, will be a sell-out crowd of over 42,000.

This will close a chapter that began on April 17, 1968, when they played their first ball game at the then-brand-new Coliseum against the Baltimore Orioles. They could sell many more tickets if they chose to open the Football seats.

The Coliseum has a seating capacity of up to 63,132 depending on its configuration; an upper deck dubbed “Mount Davis” by fans was added as part of 1996. According to David Rinetti, Vice President of Stadium Operations, Mount Davis will not be open for that last game, Rinetti has been with the A’s since they first opened the Coliseum.

The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum will close for business as far as the A’s after this game—fifty-six years of Major League Baseball, all with four World Series titles.

Only the Los Angeles Dodgers have won more World Series among the five Major League teams in California, Next stop for the A’s, the 2025 schedule to be announced by Major League Baseball at Sutter Sutter Health Park, Sacramento. Like we say during broadcasts “stay tuned”.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Giants Ramos, Webb; A’s Miller, excited to be All Stars; Braves Ozuna an All Star for third time; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (left) and catcher Patrick Baily (right) discuss strategy against the Atlanta Braves during Webb’s last outing on Thu Jul 4, 2024 at Truist Field in Cobb County GA. Webb has been selected to represent the Giants with teammate Heliot Ramos at the 2024 All Star Game in Arlington. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury didn’t get a chance to ask you about the San Francisco Giants All Star selections with Heliot Ramos and Logan Webb. Ramos is hitting .299 with 63 hits, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs. Webb is 7-6, ERA 3.09. Talk about the season they’re having.

#2 Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller has been selected to represent the Oakland A’s at the All Star Game. Miller is 1-1, ERA 2.39 has been lights out in relief and has consistently thrown over 100 MPH to opposing hitters to get 14 saves.

#3 For the third time Atlanta Braves Marcell Ozuna will be participating in the 2024 All Star Home Run Derby. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr will be making his first appearance at the Home Run Derby. Ozuna and Witt were already to scheduled to play in the All Star Game but were selected for the Home Run Derby.

#4 Maybe it would have been better for former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Raul Mondesi has been sentenced in the Dominican Republic for corruption. Mondesi was mayor of the Dominican town of San Cristobal. Mondesi was sentenced six years and nine months for embezzling up to $5 million during his time as mayor between 2010-2016.

#5 New York Mets Pete Alonso will participate in his fifth straight home run derby. Alonso is trying to win for a third time. Alonso says that if he wins he plans to help donate to the Wounded Warrior Project and Tunnel of Towers and help refurbish amateur baseball fields.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer 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: Orioles Masters of the Draft visit Oakland. Drafted better than Anybody–

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Baltimore Orioles Ryan Hearn (left) and Anthony Santander (right) flex muscles after Hearns solo home run in the top of the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Wed Jul 3, 2024. The first place Orioles open a three game series against the Oakland A’s on Fri Jul 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

Orioles Masters of the Draft visit Oakland. Drafted better than Anybody–

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Before this 2024 season started, the Baltimore Orioles were among the few considered favorites to win the World Series. As they open the season this week at Oakland, they are in first place in the powerful American League West. After losing over 100 games in 2018-2019-2021, they have the strength to be an elite team in recent years, especially this 2024 season. How have they done it?

Some of the best players in baseball who are now playing for the powerhouse Orioles were drafted by this organization, and those years of 100-plus games in the lost column are just a thing of the past. Unlike their biggest rivals, the New York Yankees, the Orioles are not known for signing players to multi-year contracts for hundreds of millions of dollars. Today, the Baltimore Orioles are indeed the masters of the Draft.

These stars were all drafted and are playing for the Orioles, as well as their names and years.

(SS) Gunnar Henderson    2019 (2024 All-Star-starting lineup)

(1B)  Ryan Mountcastle    2015

(3B)  Jordan Westburg     2020

(C)    Adley Rutschman     2019 (2024 All Star-starting lineup)

(OF)  Colton Cowser,       2021

(OF)  Austin Hayes          2016

(OF)  Heston Kjerstad     2020

(OF)  Cedric Mullins        2015

(OF)  Anthony Santander 2017

(P)    Lee Keegan Aikin    2016

(P) Grayson Rodríguez  2018

The A’s open a three-game weekend series against the Orioles this Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum. After Sunday’s game, they go on the road again and will return to Oakland after the All-Star Game recess on July 19 to play the LA Angels again.