Tag: That's Amaury News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball headed to a Category 5 Labor Storm

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New York Mets Pete Alfonso hits a two run home run against the Colorado Rockies in the bottom of the first inning Thu Aug 8, 2025 at Coors Field in Denver. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Baseball headed to a Category 5 Labor Storm

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2026 season will begin as scheduled. The 2027 season is a totally different story, as the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires at 11:59 ET on December 1, 2016. An owner’s lockout after the 2026 season is almost inevitable. What do the owners want?

A hard salary cap, which the Players Association (MLBPA) says “no way, José. If negotiations fail, we could have a work stoppage similar to 2021. The last time we experienced an MLB labor dispute was a players’ work stoppage in August 1994, a lengthy one which led to the cancellation of the rest of the 1994 season, including the World Series.

Serious stuff, especially when you canceled the baseball showcase, the World Series. The owners demanded a salary cap and changes to free agency. It wasn’t until April 1995 that the court forced both sides back to the table to work under the old rules.

The Category 5 Storm: After the 2026 season, the owners are ready to act. However, there could be a ‘civil war’ among the ‘Haves and the Have-Nots’. Teams like the A’s, Marlins, Rays, Pirates, Reds, and Rockies are considered “poor” and want a salary cap and oppose a high salary floor (basement) unless it comes with a cap.

These teams cannot afford to sign players for hundreds of millions of dollars. The Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies, and the other “regular suspects” have no problem spending mucho dinero.. The Phillies recently signed Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million contract to stay in Philadelphia.

Toronto signed free-agent pitcher Dylan Cease to a 7-year, $210 million contract. The Orioles (trying to survive in the tough AL East) signed Mets slugger Pete Alonso for five years and $155 million, while the World Champion Dodgers got a bargain as they stole star closer of the Mets Edwin Díaz and signed him for 3 years for a total of $69 million (a new record for a reliever) but this is”lunch money” for the Dodgers.

In conclusion, last time there was a work stoppage, it was by the players; the next one will be by the owners, and I believe the owners have the upper hand this time. MLB is the only league without a salary cap. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, and even the WNBA all have salary caps.

I believe the owners are willing to risk disruption to achieve a hard salary cap, despite concerns from some executives that it could damage the game. However, all can be assured, we are not soon to see another Juan Soto-type contract.

The Dominican right fielder, who signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets in late 2024. This is what Juan Soto said after signing that contract. “Los Mets no fueron los que ofrecieron más dinero; hubo otros que ofrecieron más” (Trans) “The Mets weren’t the ones who offered the most money; there were other teams that offered more.

Which means that at least one other team offered Juan a better deal than $765 million. In the words of the great NY broadcaster Mel Allen, “How about that!” And how about this? Always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise, they won’t come to yours -Yogi Berra.

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.

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

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: National Baseball Broadcaster Joe Buck was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award

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The former St Louis Cardinals play by play voice Jack Buck (left) and Fox Sports play by play voice Joe Buck sit in the St Louis Cardinals broadcast booth on Fathers Day June 18, 1995 (AP News file photo)

National Baseball Broadcaster Joe Buck was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting was won today by Joe Buck, of ESPN Sports, who calls Major League games for the sports network. He joins his father, Jack Buck, who won the award in 1987and who was the beloved “Voice of the St. Louis Cardinals” for nearly 50 years.

I have listened to Joe Buck on ESPN baseball but never met him. I did know his father, Jack. In 1999, during a special ceremony at Candlestick Park, last year the Giants played there. Yours truly and Lon Simmons were co-masters of ceremonies for the No. 30 uniform retirement of Giants great Orlando Cepeda.

Mr. Jack Buck also addressed the crowd during the ceremony. He was a St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster; the Cardinals were in town, and Orlando Cepeda also played for St. Louis. Mr. Buck asked me if he should address the crowd in English or Spanish; he spoke conversational Spanish, but he chose to do it in English.

Mr. Buck, the father, was a much more seasoned broadcaster than his son, Joe, and, in my opinion, a better play-by-play man. Congratulations go out today to his son, Joe Buck for winning this prestigious award.

Joe Buck, son of Jack Buck, today became the first father-son duo of baseball announcers to win the Ford C. Frick Award. National broadcasters are heard across the country and therefore carry more weight when it comes to voting for this award.

For example, Jon Miller, who won this award in 2010, was not only known and heard locally as the Voice of the San Francisco Giants, but was paired with Joe Morgan on ESPN nationwide telecasts in games across the country.

I was rooting for my good friend and pioneer René Cardenas, the first to broadcast for an MLB club in Spanish in 1958 with the Dodgers, before Jaime Jarrin (who won in 1998), to win it this season. I spoke via telephone with Rene today, he told me he understands, but told me he feels he is “totally forgotten”. Cardenas is 95 years young.

Congratulations to Duane Kuiper of the Giants, who was also nominated for this award, which yours truly was proud to be nominated for in 2004.

ESPN pays Major League Baseball over half a billion dollars annually under a deal covering the 2026-2028 season, which includes the MLB TV streaming service.

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.

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

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Reasons remain the same why Bonds and Clemens weren’t elected; Kent hit production gets him elected

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Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens (left) and former Miami Marlins coach Barry Bonds (right) were once again denied entry to the Hall of Fame this time by the Players Committee. (Getty file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury just wanted to ask you if you not surprised that former San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds was not elected to Cooperstown.

#2 Considering the reasons why Bonds was not elected this year were they the same reasons as before his connection with admitting during grand jury testimony that he unknowingly took steroids and his bad relationship with the media?

#3 Fernando Valenzuela also missed election. Valenzuela was a well respected figure in the game was his denial to making it to the Hall due his overall career where some writers felt his overall career didn’t meet the typical Hall-of-Fame bar for pitchers in terms of longevity and sustained excellence.

#4 For former New York Yankee and Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens the most given reason for Clemens rejection to being elected to the Hall of Fame was the chair of the Hall acknowledged that the committee’s decision likely mirrored many of the same “Steroid Era” concerns that affected the writers’ votes.

#5 Talk about former San Francisco Giant second baseman Jeff Kent and his election to the Hall of Fame. Some writers state that he has the most home runs for a second baseman in MLB history with 377 in his 17 year career, high run production, and hit consistently hit for average at .290. Was Jeff Kent the best candidate out of those other players for this year’s Hall of Fame candidates?

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.

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

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Steroids Era Committee?

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Cover of the book Juice: Wild Times, Raging Hormones, and the Untold Story of Steroids in Baseball. In 2004 by author Jose Canseco

MLB Steroids Era Committee?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The original committee that began voting for the Hall of Fame alongside the Baseball Writers Association of America was the Veterans Committee, established in the late 1930s and later evolving into the current system of Era Committees.

Over the years, various committees have formed. Writers don’t vote across these committees; they vote for the standard ballot, while the designated Era Committees handle the older or post-BBWAA-eligibility players, with the Contemporary Player ballot (voted by a special committee, not all writers) being the primary path for recently retired stars.

The Steroids era in baseball spans from the late 1980s to the early 1990s and through the late 2000s. We all (covering baseball at the time) witnessed a surge in home runs and offensive stats. Steroids were banned in 1991.

The US Federal Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, and then later, when Commissioner Fay Vincent’s 1991 memo to teams added steroids to the banned list. However, enforcement and testing in MLB came in the late 2000s. Not only the 2004 Senate hearings but José Canseco’s book in 2005 brought widespread awareness, as it was well publicized and many bought it, titled Juice: Wild Times, Raging Hormones, and the Untold Story of Steroids in Baseball. In 2004,

Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, and Rafael Palmeiro faced questions and testified before the Senate Commerce Committee regarding the use of steroids, with emphasis on the BALCO scandal. Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) had its headquarters and operations primarily in Burlingame, California.

During the hearings, among players who testified before the Senate Commerce Committee regarding steroid use, Rafael Palmeiro tested positive shortly after his denial, and Bobby Bonds later faced perjury charges. This was the “highlight” of the Steroids Era.

Many people in the business of Major League Baseball have suggested including an “asterisk” when somebody from this steroids era is officially inducted into the Hall of Fame of Baseball, and there is doubt about whether they used steroids or not.

To make it easier, I suggest they create another committee that can include a new slate of players who are not currently in the Hall of Fame but are suspected; they would not need an asterisk, because being on that list would be self-explanatory.

That new committee will be named: “Steroids Era Committee.”

Quote: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives” -Jackie Robinson, MLB Hall of Fame (1962)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2026 FIFA World Cup is a Win Win for the United States

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the match schedule for the 2026 World Cup in Washington DC on Sat Dec 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

2026 FIFA World Cup is a Win Win for the United States

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

For the second time in history, the FIFA World Cup will be held in the United States. The first time was 1994. As a Sports Anchor/Reporter for Telemundo 48 San José, it was a privilege to cover the 1994 US World Cup, a truly spectacular event unique in the world, in the final match, in which Brazil beat Italy 3-2 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in a penalty shootout to win it all.

The 1994 World Cup was the most financially successful in history and set attendance records that have yet to be broken, but will be broken this next year, and again here in the US. I will explain further in this article. It was an unforgettable event.

At that time, the 1994 US World Cup (Fútbol, Soccer) was not very popular in the US. At Telemundo 48 in San José, I used to get lots of calls from people in the Bay Area asking me to give scores on the air of many regular Fútbol games in Latin American Pro-Fútbol leagues, which came from México to Argentina, to Europe, and other countries.

Most of the people who called us at Telemundo 48 in San José were not Hispanics, but they were real Fútbol fans. Stations here in the Bay Area, affiliates of ABC, CBS, and NBC (non-Spanish speaking stations), did not report on any soccer games in the US or around the world.

In 1994, Soccer in the US didn’t rank high as a sport. But 30 years later, this international sport has grown in popularity in the United States.. During that USA ’94 World Cup, my good friend Tony López, who was Sport Anchor for Univisión CH 14 San Francisco, and yours truly at Telemundo 48, were able to interview the greatest and most famous Fútbol player ever, the great Pelé, is full name; Edson Arantes de Nascimento, a Brazilian national treasure, and basically the Babe Ruth of Fútbol.

He was traveling with Brazil as a World Ambassador of the sport. Although our stations were competitors, Tony and I have been good friends to this day, 31 years after that great event. It was an excellent experience for me to cover that World Cup.

The Bay Area (San Francisco/Palo Alto) hosted six games at Stanford Stadium during the 1994 World Cup, including group matches for Brazil, Sweden, Cameroon, Russia, Colombia, Romania, and the USA. I have a great picture with Pelé here at home that I am still trying to find and download to my computer, and I hope I can find it before the next World Cup to write about this extraordinary man, Pelé.

This 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the greatest, not only because it is one of the most significant sporting events in the world, but also because it is the only other sporting event that brings this much international interest, besides the Olympics.

It will be hosted by 16 cities, 16 in North America, 11 in the US, 3 in México, and 2 in Canada. Of all the countries in the world, the US is the one with the largest population, is diverse and rich, and is uniquely qualified for this event.

Estimates by FIFA and the United States suggest over $30 billion in economic output, creating thousands of jobs, especially from international visitors, plus the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first with 48 teams/countries.

The last 2022 FIFA World Cup had close to 5 billion fans who watched in some form or another. Only the Olympics come close to that global viewership. These are the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup; Spain, England, France and Brazil.

The US is not considered a serious contender, with odds of 80 to 1,after the recent draw which translates to a 2% chance. Fútbol/Soccer originated in England. The first official rules were drafted in 1863 by Ebenezer Cobb Morley, who is credited as the “father of soccer” when he formed the English Football Association (FA) FIFA means: Fédération Internationale de Football (French) Federación Internacional de Fútbol Asociado (Spanish) International Federation of Association Football (English) US Host Cities for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco/Bay Area

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.

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

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: San Diego Padres might have a New Owner, with a Bay Area connection

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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob had been shopping to buy the Oakland A’s before they moved to Sacramento but the A’s weren’t for sale. He might be interested in the San Diego Padres who are up for sale. (Joe Lacob photo)

San Diego Padres might have a New Owner, with a Bay Area connection

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The San Diego Padres are up for sale, and with Joe Lacob’s history of interest in MLB teams, he could be a potential buyer. Lacob’s previous attempts to purchase baseball franchises, including the Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Angels. Lacob currently owns the NBA Golden State Warriors and the WNBA Golden State Valkyries. Could Lacob be expanding his sports empire?

Joe Lacob offered to buy the Oakland A’s in 2005 when Lewis Wolff and John Fisher were the owners. As a matter of fact, in an interview with John Shea, then with the San Francisco Chronicle, now with the San Francisco Standard, Lacob went into detail about when he offered to buy the A’s in 2005 for $180 million.

It is well known that Lacob had a “standing offer” to purchase the Oakland A’s from John Fisher for years, and always maintained that the team belongs in Oakland. As recently as 2023, Lacob and Fisher reported interactions regarding a potential purchase, but Lacob did not actively pursue it when Fisher seemed committed to his team.

Ownership history of the San Diego Padres: C.Arnholt Smith, followed by John Kroc and Joan Kroc of Mc Donalds’s fame, next Tom Wernes, John Moores, and the group led by Ron Fowler. The most recent/current owners were Peter Seidler and John Seidler, who became the principal owner in 2023 following Peter’s death.

The San Diego Padres franchise began in 1936 in the PCL, playing in San Diego until 1968. In 1969, they became an expansion team in the Major Leagues, playing in the National League. The First Manager of the San Diego Padres was Cuban-born Preston Gómez in 1969.

The first Latino Major League managers in history also born in Cuba: Miguel “Mike” González, who served as the interim manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938.

Padres are one of five teams who never won a World Series; Padres, Mariners, Brewers, Rockies, Tampa Bay Too bad for Oakland and A’s fans that Lacob couldn’t buy the A’s; he is a winner, unlike the man who owns the team today.

Quote about baseball owners – Stewardship and fan accountability “It’s a stewardship. We have an obligation. We are accountable to the fans and to the city. If you don’t approach it that way, you shouldn’t be an owner in my opinion,” said Phillies owner John Middleton.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Baseball Notebook Strategy You Don’t see Everyday

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Former San Francisco Giant outfielder Barry Bonds once walked with the bases loaded on May 28, 1998 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here is Bonds in action trying to score at the plate at Candlestick Park. (USA Today file photo)

From My Baseball Notebook Strategy You Don’t see Everyday

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Date and Place: May 28, 1998, at Candlestick Park/3Com Park, San Francisco, as the Giants’ Spanish play-by-play announcer on station KIQI 1010AM, San Francisco. Below is what happened.

At the time, nobody really believed it was happening. I witnessed a very rare play in baseball history during a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants, The Game: It was the bottom of the ninth inning when Arizona’s manager Buck Showalter ordered an intentional walk to the Giants’ dangerous slugger Barry Bonds with the bases loaded and two outs.

Arizona was leading 8-6, and manager Showalter chose to give the Giants a free run by giving the intentional bases on balls to Bonds. Showalter intentionally walked Bonds and made the game 8-7. The next batter was Diamondbacks catcher Brett Mayne.

The 12,066 crowd were on their feet when Mayne hit a solid line drive to deep right field as Stan Javier caught the last out, and Buck Showalter, and his counterpart Dusty Baker, manager of the Giants, both could breathe again as the game came to a conclusion in 3 hours 26 minutes.

Buck Showalter was a genius with that strategy as his Arizona Diamondbacks won 8-7 over the Giants. For most people, including me, at the Press Box and Broadcast booths, it was the first time we witnessed such a moment in a game.

That season, Barry Bonds won the NL MVP award, hitting .303 with 37 home runs and 122 runs batted in. The Ultimate Respect: A manager gets paid to win games, and uses his baseball knowledge and strategy in every game, but during this game, Diamondback’s manager, Buck Showalter, gave Barry Bonds the ultimate respect, an intentional base on balls to walk in a run (with the game on the line) in the ninth inning and prevailed.

How many times has this happened? Only eight times in history has a player been intentionally walked with the bases loaded in the Major Leagues. Here they are: Abner Dalrymple (1881), Nap Lajoie (1901), Del Bissonette (1928), Mel Ott (1929), Bill Nicholson (1944), BARRY BONDS (1998), Josh Hamilton (2008) and the most recent instance was in 2022, when the LA Angels intentionally walked Corey Seager. Of the eight on this list, two are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame: and Museum Nap Lajoie and Mel Ott.

However, what I called at the mic that night in May at a cold and windy Candlestick Park was done only by two players in history to win the game: Barry Bonds in this game,1998 and Josh Hamilton in 2008, both of whom were walked by their respective managers in the ninth inning of a game. The only time I have seen this in my life as a fan or broadcaster. What they say, “you never know what you’ll see at the ballpark”

Major League Baseball Record for Intentional Bases on Balls. For one season (Barry Bonds), 120 times in 2004, Career Record: Barry Bonds 688.

“I was such a dangerous hitter, I even got intentional walks during batting practice” -Casey Stengel.

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.

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

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Holy Bat

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

Pope Leo XIV receives a baseball bat that once belonged to Hall of Famer Nellie Fox. (Photo via Vatican Media)

Holy Bat

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Pope Leo XIV, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born in Chicago on September 14, 1955. The Pope recently visited Turkey, a positive visit of religious outreach preaching Peace to the world and Christian unity. Along the way, upon his return, he received an unexpected gift.

Chris Livesay, CBS News foreign correspondent, was on assignment traveling with Pope Leo when he gifted a baseball bat to the pontiff. It was a family heirloom from Livesay. This was not any bat, but one used by White Sox legend, second baseman, and Hall of Famer Nellie Fox. “Oh, wow,” The Pope exclaimed as he received the bat featuring Fox’s initials and number. “How did you get this through security?” he then joked. Pope Leo XIV roots for the Chicago White Sox.

The Chicago native has been widely reported as a White Sox fan, even sporting their cap during public appearances at the Vatican and playfully joking about the rival Chicago Cubs. Pope Leo is the first Pope to root for a baseball team in history. The late Pope Francis was a lifelong and avid fan of Futbol (Soccer here in the US).

Growing up in Argentina, Pope Francis probably had no choice since Futbol in Argentina is like a religion. Pope Leo is the first-ever American-born Pope in history and the 266th Pope. The first Pope was Saint Peter. Peter’s real name was Simon.

When he became an apostle of Jesus Christ, the founder of the Christian faith, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy, is often cited as the largest Catholic Church in the world, with a greater seating and standing capacity and a greater height than any other.’

Pope Leo XIV was named Pope of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, at the Vatican. Here in the United States, soon after he was elected Pope, both teams, the White Sox and the Cubs, claimed he was a fan. However, he wore a White Sox cap earlier this year and rooted from the stands during World Series Game 1 in 2016; his prayers were answered as the club celebrated its first World Series championship since 1917.

But when he gets a chance, he also roots for the crosstown Cubs. I am sure that, as a good man of Chicago, he prays for both teams. “Baseball is the only sport mentioned in the Bible. “In the Big Inning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

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.

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

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Are you a Superstitious A’s Fan?

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Oakland Raiders fans express their disappointment in 2019 about the team moving to Las Vegas (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Are you a Superstitious A’s Fan?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Just like there are some Oakland A’s fans here in the Bay Area rooting for the A’s even as they play in Sacramento, with the final stop in Las Vegas, there are Oakland Raiders fans who still follow their team, as unfortunate as they have been since they moved to Sin City.

I wonder how many are left. Since we are talking about Las Vegas, I think it’s a good bet that Oakland A’s fans are following the A’s in Sacramento much more than Raiders fans from Oakland are following them in Las Vegas. Here in the East Bay, I do not see many Raiders flags anymore. I remember a few years ago, when Raiders fans were everywhere from Oakland to Milpitas.

This season’s Las Vegas Raiders are one of the worst in recent franchise history. What’s wrong with this Raiders team? Doesn’t take a John Madden-type football brain to tell you they have a lack of consistent talent across the roster, poor offensive and defensive execution, and that the coaching staff’s and management’s recent personnel decisions have been a failure. Aside from that, they are a good team.

Attention A’s fans, does this sound familiar to you? “Because of a long-standing inability to secure a modern stadium deal in Oakland, which had outdated facilities and limited public funding for upgrades, Las Vegas offered a more attractive package with public funding for a new stadium. This made relocation feasible as the Oakland Raiders left for Las Vegas in 2020,” -SF Chronicle.

Since the Raiders left Oakland for the desert in 2020, only in 2021 did they have a winning season with a 10-7 record. Their 2-9 record with 6 games left is bad because, even if they win all 6 games (extremely unlikely), they will still finish with another losing record.

The Raiders rolled the dice and went to Vegas, and they are “crapping out”, which is one of many terms when you roll the dice and do not do well.

A’s owner John Fisher is taking magic lessons from David Cooperfield, one of the greatest magic acts in the history of Vegas, to make believe to the whole world his Oakland A’s are ln the way to that city and that with a 33,000 stadium, he will sell out every game and it will be the greatest move in the history of professional sports. What are the odds on this? Place your bet.

Do you know why turkeys don’t trust each other? Too much foul play.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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.

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

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Will $1.8 billion loss force MLB to shutdown/lockout in 2027?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Mets Juan Soto (22) slugs a three run home run in the fourth inning as Washington Nationals catcher Jorge Alfaro (left) watches at Citi Field in New York on Fri Sep 19, 2025. Soto is the highest paid player on the Mets. The Mets claim they lost $350 million because of their $342 million payroll in the 2025 season. (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

  1. How much of the $1.8 billion loss is due to player payroll, especially on high-spending teams?
    • For example, the Mets reportedly lost ~$350 million, largely driven by their $342 M payroll.
  2. Did declining or restructuring media revenue contribute significantly to the losses?
    • Around 25% of team revenue comes from media, and teams have reportedly struggled to replace traditional regional sports network (RSN) deals.
    • Also, MLB and ESPN mutually ended their $550M/year deal early, which could have left a big revenue gap.
  3. How much of the loss is “paper accounting” versus real cash-flow problems?
    • Some insiders suggest these losses are accounting losses — not necessarily indicative of a decline in franchise value.
  4. Is there a structural imbalance in MLB’s economics ( lack of salary cap, uneven revenue sharing) that exacerbates these losses?
    • MLB is reportedly considering a salary cap, which could indicate that current spending is unsustainable.
    • Wealth disparities between big-market and small-market teams may be playing a role.
  5. Are there longer-term strategic choices or risks ( media strategy, labor uncertainty) that could be contributing to the losses?
    • With media rights changing and ESPN opting out, MLB’s future broadcast deals may be less lucrative.
    • Also, potential labor issues loom: owners are discussing a salary cap ahead of the collective bargaining agreement expiring in 2026.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com