Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Oakland A’s tough days at the Coliseum, Nothing new

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Oakland Coliseum site of the smallest crowd since the 1980 season with one of the smallest customers on the stairs with a whole section to himself the A’s drew 2488 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Mon May 2, 2022 (USA Today photo)

Oakland A’s: Tough Days at the Coliseum, Nothing New

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND–On April 17, 1979 the Seattle Mariners visited the Oakland Coliseum, the official attendance announced was 250. Yes, 250 people. We might not get to that point this season.

In 1979 there was also very high inflation, they were gas lines and shortages, a hostage situation, and a war in the middle east, in other words very similar to what’s happening now, with the big difference that covid was not around. The population of Oakland was around 330,000 people.

A’s owner Charlie Finley eventually sold the team to the Haas family/Levi Strauss, in my humble opinion, the best ownership the A’s ever had. Right away they got to work and built a winning atmosphere with great players, winning pennants and three consecutive trips to the World Series (1988-89-90) winning over the Giants in the 1989 World Series.

The Coliseum was a place to be and enjoy baseball with all kinds of promotions and great players like Henderson, Stewart, Canseco, McGwire, and company. Regardless of how you feel, we must credit Charlie O Finley because he built a tremendous championship team that won three World Series in a row, from 1972 to 1974. As a matter of fact, only the A’s and Yankees can say they have won 3 consecutive World Series.

Yankees as many as five in a row during their 1950s dynasty. However, after those 3-years Finley basically traded everybody, he didn’t want any part of the signing of free agents, he thought paying a million dollar for a player was crazy.

Finley suggested every player should become a free agent every year and sign a one-year contract. By the way, the current Oakland A’s have nothing but one-year contracts.

Soon this summer A’s fans will know if the team will definitely be able to build the new Howard Terminal ballpark or not. “It is Howard Terminal or bust”, said Dave Kaval President of the A’s, after the recent positive decision by the BCDC, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

If the A’s get the final approval to build the new ballpark in downtown Oakland, they will still have to play at the Oakland Coliseum for a couple of years and chances are that with the current team, is not expected to be in the race for the postseason, attendances will continue to be so small that some players will tell you they can hear the stadium vendors as clear as if they were sitting with the fans. There are still hurdles and three lawsuits against the A’s building the new park at Howard Terminal.

I talked with many fans at the Oakland Coliseum, true Oakland A’s fans for years and they are more than frustrated, they are extremely cynical.

One told me a few days ago “We still support the A’s and come here knowing that Montas, Laureano, Murphy, and any player than can bring some value in return will be gone”.

Nobody can blame any A’s fans for their attitude, they are the ones paying for parking and for the games and for souvenirs and food. There used to be a saying that “the customer is always right”. And, in this case, they are right.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s host Rays after losing three straight to Cleveland

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The Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie goes into his stretch in the first inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun May 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 For the first time in 22 years that brings us back to the year 2000 the Cleveland Guardians (10-12) swept the Oakland A’s (10-12) in Sunday’s finale by a score of 7-3. But just to the history of those 22 years that’s a long time does that say something about how penetrable the A’s were in this series or the Guardians were just that good?

#2 Guardians starter Triston McKenzie went 6.1 innings of shutout ball against the A’s and very well could have gone the distance if it weren’t for the pitch count.

#3 A’s pitching did wonders for the Guardians Franmil Reyes who entered Sunday’s game with a 1-27 slump but broke out with a third inning two RBI single in an inning where the Guardians scored three times.

#4 It was A’s pitcher James Kraprielian’s first time back after coming back from shoulder surgery Kaprielian ended up walking four batters and struggled and was lifted in the third inning going two plus innings, three hits on four earned runs and three strikeouts. Is his shoulder still a concern because Guardian hitters certainly saw the ball pretty well.

#5 The A’s will try it all over again tonight at the Coliseum as the A’s have lost six of their last eight games and will face the Tampa Bay Rays tonight the Rays will start Drew Rasmussen (1-1 ERA 3.50) and for the A’s Daulton Jefferies 1-3 ERA 3.26) first pitch at 6:40pm PDT.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead play by play announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s vs. Giants Bay Area Rivalry on Tap

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The Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants open up a brief two game series at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Apr 26, 2022 (photo from sfgate.com)

A’s vs Giants: Bay Area Rivalry On Tap

That’s Amaury News and Commentry

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–The two Bay Area teams will face each other in a quick two-game set at Oracle Park this Tuesday and Wednesday, with both games’ first pitch scheduled for 6:45. Two teams right now on different paths. A’s rebuilding and with an uncertain future, the Giants try to prove they can win again over 100 games and advance into the playoffs over the heavily favorite LA Dodgers.

This is a friendly rivalry, with many families split with their support of their favorite team. April is usually the lowest attendance month of the baseball season but there should be no problem with attendance at Oracle during this mid-week series between the A’s and the Giants, maybe not sellout crowds but definitely plenty of people.

This regional rivalry had it’s epic moment during the 1989 World Series, interrupted by a strong Earthquake which postponed that October Classic for 11 days.

The A’s swept the Giants during that historic and memorable 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Those were different times, the Giants were playing at Candlestick Park one of the most maligned major league stadiums in history and the A’s were playing in the middle of their very successful late 1980’s when they advanced to three consecutive World Series with the direction of their Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa.

In 1988 World Series the A’s lost to the Dodgers, in one of the biggest upsets in history. 1989 they swept the Giants and in 1990 they lost to Cincinnati.

Nobody was talking about the Oakland Coliseum and how bad it was because the team was winning, and winning cures everything. For many hardcore A’s fans they still talk about the great team that should had won those three consecutive World Series.

The A’s are only the second team do to such when they won three consecutive World Series in 1972,1973 and 1974. Only the New York Yankees under various dynasties, winning as many as five World Series in a row during the 1950’s.

The A’s have a rookie manager in Mark Kotsay and a cast of inexperienced players, mixed with veterans like Jed Lowrie and Stephen Vogt. The Giants under skipper Gabe Kapler in his second season trying to disprove most of the experts that predicted they will not win as many games again as last season.

That prediction is not fair, because 2021 was a great surprise for the Giants as many of their players (including veterans Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford) enjoyed their best season. In a way the Giants have a chip on their shoulders.

They still are not getting a lot of respect from the national baseball media. The Giants organization would like nothing more than to win this year’s World Series, and in the process, tie the A’s with a fourth World Series title.

The history of these two major league franchises is similar in many ways. With the A’s today threatening to possibly leave Oakland for Las Vegas, if the plan for the new Howard Terminal stadium is not approved.

In 1992 the Giants under owner Bob Lurie who agreed to sell the Giants and move them to Florida almost came to fruition. The Giants have longer roots in the Bay Area, they arrived from New York (1958) 10 years prior to the A’s arriving from Kansas City (1968).

Oracle Park is one the most attractive major league parks. I broadcast their inaugural game in the year 2000, doing their Spanish play by play, today, the park that has shared four names: Pac Bell, ATT, SBC Park and now Oracle Park, is 22 years old, hard to believe.

It is always fun to see the A’s and Giants playing on the same field.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Frankie Montas-Will he be traded?

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Oakland A’s pitcher Frankie Montas pats the glove after teammate outfielder Nick Allen makes a nice catch on Texas Rangers Brad Miller’s fly at the Oakland Coliseum Sat Apr 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

Frankie Montás – Will he be Traded?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Frankie Montás started Saturday afternoon for the Oakland A’s during the second game of a three game series against the Texas Rangers. He pitched a season-high 7 2/3 innings allowed just 3 hits and 2 earned runs, struck-out 8 and threw 96 pitches.

His team’s anemic bats only produced 3 hits. A’s lost 2-0 and the series vs. Texas. Frankie Montás record is 2-2 with a 3.28 earned run average. 9,120 was the paid attendance on a beautiful Oakland afternoon.

As this 2022 season got underway, the Oakland A’s had one established starting pitcher, one that has won consistently and was not trying to make the team. Frankie Montás. The three respectable starting rotation members (until last season) were Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montás and Sean Manaea. Since then Frankie Montás has ascended as the ace of the staff.

A’s fans are cynical and expect Frankie Montás to be traded like Bassitt, Manaea and other A’s established players like Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Mark Canha, Josh Harrison, Jake Diekman, Andrew Chafin, Sergio Romo.

Will Frankie Montás be traded this season? Nobody will bet their house (if they own one) or any other valuable possession, to tell you one way of the other. But common sense tells everybody that this A’s organization will not hesitate to trade their players that have value and can bring a haul of prospects.

In the trade with Atlanta, the A’s sent All Star Matt Olson to the Braves and in return they got four players; highly regarded catcher Shea Langeliers, their 2021 first-round pick pitcher Ryan Cusick and another good arm from the mound in Joey Estes. Also from Atlanta the A’s got a 23-year old Dominican-born outfielder with limitless potential, Cristian Pache.

He was the #4 prospect inside the Braves organization; So far, Cristian Pache has become a fan favorite at the Oakland Coliseum in front of the scant attendances during this first month of the season. Prior to games at the Coliseum, I walk among fans and ask for their comments about some of the new crop of young A’s players, and just about everybody mentions Pache.

A’s fans compare Pache to Ramón Laureano, who is only a few weeks away from his return after an 80 game suspension dating to last season. They both can play defense, cover all of center field and then some.

The only doubt about Cristian Pache, (according to most scouts) was, can he hit major league pitching the? He has shown some promise so far, but the whole season is still ahead. The best ‘focus group’ in baseball is the fans.

For baseball players, it is a job, they do not care where they play, they want to be in the major leagues, so asking A’s players how they feel to play in front of 3,000 people is not the question. They are professionals, they get paid to perform in front of 3,000 or 30,000.

Regardless where the A’s play in the future, Oakland, Las Vegas or Hong Kong (that would be some road trip) the fact remains that A’s management would not hesitate to trade anybody at any given time early or late in the season which would be a trade deadline between July 29 and August 3.

I know some A’s fans that repeat themselves that Frankie will not be traded this year, like you want to “self brainwash” and the more you say it the more you believe it, but they also admit, they will absolutely would not be surprised if the A’s do pull the trigger.

Good young starting pitcher is very coveted at this time and many contending teams have already called the A’s involving Frankie Montás. Among those are the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels.

How can anybody blame the Oakland A’s fans that complain about good players getting traded? Nobody can. Because they have seen the same Rodeo for years and years, there is nothing new here. The Oakland A’s of the 2012 season were picked to finish last in their division; they won it with a 94-68 record. So there are always surprises. Are the A’s going to win this division this year, most probably not?

Are the A’s going to trade Frankie Montás? I think there is definitely more than a 50-50 chance that they will. Why? Because that is their track record and that is what they do. I do not like to see Montás leave Oakland, but I also have my feet on the ground and I still believe the world is round.

Adiós muchachos!

NOTE: Refreshing our collective memories. These were some of the names of that surprising 2012 A’s team that most “experts” expected very little: Adam Rosales, Eric Sogard, Jamile Weeks, Kurt Susuki, Chris Carter, Daric Barton, Josh Donaldson, Cliff Pennington, Bartolo Colón, Tyson Ross, Jerry Blevins, Brian Fuentes, A.J Griffin and Sean Doolittle, among many others. Remember?

Catch Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez-Duen for all the play by play on the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: A’s open up homestand against Orioles: A’s have seven players out with Covid 19 protocols

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Oakland A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty is one of seven Athletics that were out for the home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Apr 18, 2022 (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

The Oakland A’s (5-5) surprised a lot of the oddsmakers after they were predicted to pretty much have a rough start not to mention a very unexpected opening of the season to open a ten game road trip.

The A’s who lost two out of three to the Philadelphia Phillies but won that last and final third game and got inspiration and won three out of four in Tampa Bay including a 13-2 landslide on Mon Apr 11th at Tropicana Field.

Then the A’s who lost two out of three to the Toronto Blue Jays did pick up a win on Thu Apr 14th winning a two run ball game 7-5. The A’s on trip got some run production from catcher Sean Murphy and some closing help from Lou Trivino. The A’s went 5-5 which was unexpected on the trip.

On the Covid list: On that last A’s road trip the A’s might have got away with a lot with a relatively unexpected successful road trip going 5-5 but for the A’s home opener the A’s have seven players out with Covid 19 protocol issues, outfielder Stephen Piscotty, catcher Austin Allen, infielders Jed Lowrie, Chad Pinder, pitchers AJ Puk, Lou Trivino and Kirby Snead. Called up infielders Nick Allen and Christian Lopes, and pitcher Sam Selman. The A’s who opened up their season in Philadelphia on Fri Apr 8th came at a time when the city of Philadelphia is having a relatively large BA 2 Variant outbreak and has mandated mask wearing and social distancing.

The Baltimore Orioles are 3-6 but had won two of their last three games against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. This could be a lot closer of a series than the oddsmakers are predicting.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio lead play by play announcer heard on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Amaury’s brick message to Cuban baseball fans stands true today

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On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Pink Floyd once had the chance to sing about another brick in the wall, you had a chance to put a brick on the floor at Willie Mays Plaza in 2000 at Pac Bell Park you dedicated to those who were in Cuba that loved baseball but who could not leave Cuba.

#2 Amaury, there are numerous bricks on the Mays Plaza that dedicates many messages to fans, these were placed there during the inaugural year how much does your message stand up today?

#3 In 1998 MLB took Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN with Jon Miller and Joe Morgan doing the play by play and color to Havana something that was never done before what did it mean for baseball to go to Cuba and play a game there?

#4 Was the experience for the game to go to Cuba a positive one for MLB obviously MLB has never gone back to Cuba since 1998?

#5 Many Cuban players have come out of Cuba over the years some either declared political asylum and very few were granted permission to play MLB by the Cuban government.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for the Spanish play by play of Oakland A’s beisbol with Manolo Hernandez-Douen on flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and listen for Amaury for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Jackie Robinson-The Scorebook-More than Baseball he is America

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April 15, 1947 Scorebook by sportswriter Tom Meany, historic first game for Jackie Robinson (Photo: National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown)

Jackie Robinson -The Scorebook – More than Baseball he is America

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On my first visit to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York in 2009, there was a very impressive book I was privileged to see. It is the official reporter scorebook, from April 15, 1947, by Sportswriter Tom Meaney of the New York World Telegram.

It is kept in the special historical archives and not for regular public viewing. It is a small book, with measures of 7 3/4 inches by 4 5/8 inches. It list Jackie Robinson (although in a sports hall of fame) it is one of the most important Civil Rights documents in history.

Craig W. Muder, Director of Communications and John B. Odell, Curator, were kind enough to give me a private tour and a look at this impressive piece of history. I forever am thankful to them. All in coordination with Debbie Gallas, of the A’s media department, the best.

Interesting enough, this book is not in Washington, DC, but in upstate New York at Cooperstown. Of all the great sports memorabilia at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in my opinion, this is the most impressive and definitely historical.

The many records by Babe Ruth and other legendary players, in this the greatest sports Hall of Fame in America, do not compare to the historical value of this little scoring book, because it changed the history of baseball and the country.

This April 15th we commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson took the field at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, as a Brooklyn Dodger.

No other figure impacted American sports history in America more than Jackie Robinson. This great moment in American history happened 16 years before the “I Have a Dream” speech by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963.

Branch Rickey, the Dodger executive responsible for bringing Robinson to the major leagues, said he deserved ‘no credit for Jackie Robinson’. He received a lot of resistance not only in baseball but outside as well.

That should never be forgotten since at that time in history that was a courageous move. Branch Rickey was a man of vision and great courage, one of his quotes: “Problems are the price you pay for progress”. In these days of great fan cynicism regarding baseball from the Commissioner, to owners and even players, Branch Rickey was the right man at the right time in the history of the United States. History has told us so.

Although I never met Mr. Rickey (1881-1963) I did speak to Dodgers Vice President Al Campanis during the 1988 World Series between the A’s and Dodgers at the Oakland Coliseum and although he was fired as their VP for remarks he made on ABC’s “Nightline” comments that were seen as being insensitive at best and possibly racist, he gave me an interview for the pre-game regarding the great star in MLB that time, A’s José Canseco who that season became the first 40-40 man in baseball history and won the MVP in the American League.

Campanis spoke fluent Spanish. I also asked him about his relations with Hispanic players (Al Campanis who is in the Hall of Fame) who had signed such black and Hispanic players as Roberto Clemente and Tommy Davis. Many who knew Campanis said he embraced Jackie Robinson historic feat and that what he said on that interview with ABC’s Ted Koppel was a “slip of the tongue”

On April 15, all players on all major league teams will be wearing Robinson’s iconic number 42. An honor to all African-American players as well as all players in baseball, in the minors or major leagues. Many teams have their own tributes during this historic day. Worldwide, Nike is coming out with its own special this year.

A shoe they will be releasing they are calling it, Jackie Robinson Dunk Lows in honor of the legend celebrating (featuring at the tongue) a 75 for this special anniversary. The shoe designed in white and blue the colors of the Dodgers.

The All-Star game this year will take place on Tuesday, July 19 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles. On April 15, 2017 the Dodgers unveiled an 800 pounds Statue, located at the left field reserve plaza, since then have become one of the most photographs areas at the home of the Dodgers.

Baseball is very proud of celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, more than Baseball he is America.

Catch Amaury Pi Gonzalez on the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station for all the A’s action at 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2022 Season-My Predictions

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Amaury Pi-Gonzalez broadcasting last time the Oakland A’s were in the Postseason. October 3, 2018 At Yankee Stadium. American League Wild Card Final score: Yankees 7 Athletics 2. (Photo credit: APG Sports)

2022 Season – My Predictions–

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The season is here, even though we just had an abbreviated Spring Training and the CBA negotiations went deep into extra-innings, this will be a full 162-games season. And that is great news. Of all other sports, baseball (without a doubt), offers the most fun when it comes to predictions, there are more games, more ups and downs, more drama and great surprises. So here we go!

AL West

Houston Astros The more I look at the Seattle Mariners, the more improvement I see all over their roster. I like what they are doing in “Rain City”. They are already crowning Rookie Julio Rodríguez as the new “J-Rod” as the Rookie of the Year.

But I have to go with the Houston Astros, although they lost Carlos Correa to the Twins. Justin Verlander is returning to the mound, this is a veteran team with a good skipper who keeps everybody happy and knows how to win, in Dusty Baker.

I would not be surprised if the Mariners win the division. The A’s have a new look and it will be fun watching some of their future stars recently acquired, but they will not be in this race, they will play role of spoilers. Last time A’s were in a Postseason was in 2018.

Back to, the Angels line-up (all healthy) might be the most dangerous in baseball, but since Adam and Eve, without pitching nobody has won anything. Noah Syndergaard, aka “Thor” left the Big Apple for the Big A. But the Angelinos need more from the mound.

What a waste of a lineup it they do not win; Othani, Trout, Rendon and company. Last time the LA Angels made the playoffs was in 2014. Angels Owner Arturo (Arte) Moreno who spends more money than the US Congress would love nothing more than to be in the postseason. Arte is a good guy. Ay Caramba!

AL Central

Chicago White Sox The Minnesota Twins have a scary lineup and a good pitching staff, but the Chicago White Sox. this season are built not only to win this division but to go all the way to the World Series.

This will not be a tight race, White Sox by plenty. Last year they won the division by 13 games over Cleveland. There is a team now named the Guardians in Cleveland, they just signed José Ramírez, maybe one of the most underrated players in the game, he finally got paid, a multi-year $124 million contract.

But this is LaRussa’s division. We related to each other, Tony and I, were born on exactly threw same day, month and year, about 200 miles apart, Havana-Tampa, and not the cigars! This year is like the old Sinatra classic “My Kind of Town” Chicago!

AL East

Winner: Toronto The Blue Jays might be the team to watch and you cannot close your eyes when you see this team play. They are fun personified. Hard to have more fun than to watch this lineup, their solid pitching and the athleticism is by far the class of this division.

They’re young talented stars with some experience and they are going to compete in this always the most watched division in baseball. Tampa Bay Rays will be there and Boston Red Sox could compete all the way into September, they have Alex Cora, at 46 years old one of the most intelligent and accomplished managers in the game.

The Yankees always find a way, but they will not win the division, they wanted Frankie Montás of the A’s, and they still might get him, if they are in the race by July-August. If the Yankees win it, that is a surprise. You might get your passport ready, right now, for the postseason because you are not going to the Bronx, you are going to Canada.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers should win this division again with 100 plus wins. Games in the 2021 MLB season were initially played with limited capacity before being gradually increased to full capacity over the course of the season. Dodger Stadium will be rocking again this year between 3 to 3.5 million or more in attendance.

That’s a lot of Dodger Dogs. Further south the Bob Melvin Padres will survive a month or so without injured mega-star Fernando Tatís Jr, but they do not have the depth on their roster like the Dodgers, it is a must for Tatís to comeback healthy and stay healthy all season long.

I like the Giants rotation, even though they lost Kevin Gausman, they picked up Carlos Rodon, and if he can stay healthy, he will help. Their offense is not as good on paper compared to LA or SD. Giants could have signed Khris Bryant, but he signed with the thin-air Rockies in Colorado.

They open the season with their third-baseman, veteran Evan Longoria on the injured list. Attention, Giants fans; do not forget there are more opportunities for a wild card spot this year. But it will be tougher this year to “Beat LA”.

NL Central

St Louis Cardinals. For some reason I like the St Louis Cardinals, maybe is because they have the greatest of all baseball uniforms. The reunion between good friends and future Hall of Famers, Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols, might be all the inspiration they need, in a city personally I consider the best, bar-none, for baseball and fans in this country.

One of the very best organizations in the game, the Cards always manage to make it interesting. History has it they have won the most World Series in the National League, with eleven, and only the Yankees with 27, have won more in the same city among all teams in history..

NL East: New York Mets

Do we have enough drama in New York? Never! And this season will have more drama as veteran skipper Buck Showalter takes the control as first year manager of the Metropolitanos. The World Champion Atlanta Braves lost their heart and soul, the great first-baseman Freddy Freeman, who was one of the most popular players ever in Atlanta since Larry “Chipper” Jones.

They gained A’s Matt Olson so they did not lose much power there. The Bravos won 88 games last year and won the World Series. I see the Mets ascending and like the improved Philadelphia Phillies, it could be a three-team race.

When everything is right, the Mets might have the best trio of starters in the game, #1 Jacob DeGrom, #2 Matt Scherzer and #3 Chris Bassitt. Whatever happens, I still Love New York, I lived there after my US Army service and there is no city like it.

To expedite things, let’s go-by the playoffs and land in the World Series.

League Champion AL: Toronto Blue Jays NL: Los Angeles Dodgers

World Series Champion: Toronto Blue Jays

Adiós muchachos.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish lead play by play talent heard on 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Amtrak joins Union Pacific in A’s Howard Terminal law suit; Former Dodger Tommy Davis passes at 83

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Artists rendition of what the Howard Terminal ballpark would look like if built. The project is meeting lots of opposition from a number of plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits including Amtrak and Union Pacific just this week (photo from the Port of Oakland)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amtrak Capital Corridor has joined Southern Pacific in a lawsuit to stop the Oakland A’s Howard Terminal build. Both plaintiffs claim that public safety risk which involved traffic, pedestrian safety where railroad tracks encircle the entire Oakland Port location. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is the A’s last chance at building at the terminal and the A’s need a two thirds vote on June 2 if the Commission votes it down the project is dead.

#2 Amaury, Couldn’t start the podcast without mentioning the passing of the late Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Tommy Davis who passed away on Monday at age 83. Davis had a .294 career average, 153 home runs, and 1,052 RBIs.

#3 Davis said towards the end of his career that he was bitter for being released so much he played for 11 different teams including the Oakland A’s two different times. Davis said that he was released because he was too laid back and argued he played better that way. He was noted for shaving or reading a book between at bats when he was a DH for the Baltimore Orioles between 1972-75.

#4 Former Oakland A’s designated hitter Khris Davis was signed by the Mexico City Red Devils for a one year deal. Davis’ mother is Mexican and who speaks Spanish is from Guadalajara and this has to be very special for Davis to play in the Mexican League.

#5 Mark Kotsay said Saturday that he was debating whether to start Sean Manaea or Frankie Montas for opening day on Friday but that answer was made for him when Manaea was traded to the San Diego Padres on Sunday morning. The A’s were scheduled to play the Padres that morning and Manaea got to start against his former team and heard some all in fun chirping from his ex-teammates during his first game with the Pads.

#6 Former Houston Astro Carlos Beltran admitted that the Astros crossed the line in 2017 stealing signs electronically. Beltran who is now a analyst for the YES Network calling New York Yankee games said “the cheating was working did you truly expect us to stop.”

#7 Amaury, MLB’s hottest prospect the Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriquez not only is up and coming but he made it to the opening day roster. The 21 year old from the Dominican hit .419 this spring and the Mariners were so impressed what he did at the plate hitting three home runs and and eight RBIs. Rodriguez can also play left, center and right defensively and are hoping for big things from his this season.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead Spanish play by play announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Sean Manaea traded to San Diego for two prospects

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manaea seen here pitching against the Houston Astros on Oct 1, 2021 at Minute Field in Houston was dealt to the San Diego Padres on Sun Apr 3, 2022 and quickly switch uniforms pitching against his old teammates the A’s in Peoria AZ (AP News file photo)

Sean Manaea traded to San Diego

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Lefty Sean Manaea was traded to the San Diego Padres. In return, the A’s received two prospects from the Padres minor league system. Infielder Euribiel Angeles No.12 on their system, plus Adrián Martínez, a pitcher and No.26 prospect. The Athletics also send minor league pitcher Aaron Holiday with Sean Manaea to San Diego.

A mainstay for the A’s rotation, the 30-year old lefty Manaea spent the first six years of his major league career with the Oakland A’s. With a win-loss record of: 50-42 a 3.86 earned run average. Started 128 games for the Green and Gold and on April 21 of 2018 threw a no-hitter at the Oakland Coliseum against the red hot Boston Red Sox (who had won 8 games in a row) by the score of 3-0, and struck out 10.

The A’s are continuing to rebuild and Manaea was rumored to be one of the three A’s starters with tradable value. The Yankees, Twins, Royals and others have been talking to the A’s about trading for Manaea. Chris Bassitt was already traded to the New York Mets (for a couple of prospects) and Frankie Montás is still rumored to be on the trading block and could go at any minute now or possibly during mid season, to a contending team.

The New York Yankees are one of the teams that has been very much interested in Montás, but it is believed that the A’s want more value for Montás, who is 27 year old and they are seeking some of the Yankees top prospects.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio play by play lead announcer heard on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com