Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: No April Fool’s Joke–New Lawsuit Filed against the A’s Howard Terminal

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Artists rendition of the Howard Terminal ballpark the Oakland A’s are seeking to build. The East Oakland Alliance is suing the City of Oakland and other defendants in their fight to keep the A’s at the Coliseum location in East Oakland (AP News photo)

No April Fool’s Joke: New Lawsuit Filed against the A’s Howard Terminal

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–It was no April Fool’s joke. Today, April 1, 2022 a new lawsuit against the Oakland A’s and the building of their proposed new Howard Terminal Ballpark took another hit. This lawsuit was filed by the East Oakland Alliance, which wants the Oakland A’s to stay in Oakland but build the new ballpark in the current Coliseum location.

MLB does not approve the building of the new park at the actual location that is a no-go. The East Oakland Alliance is among the entities this time suing the team and the city of Oakland, together with shipping, steel, and port groups also suing.

Their spokesman says the A’s and city did not adequately disclose the negative effect the project will have on the existing waterfront operations and surrounding areas, among other things. A’s President Dave Kaval rejected those claims saying a new ballpark at Howard Terminal would be better for the environment and people in the Bay Area.

Back in February 2021, the A’s cleared a legal hurdle in their quest for the new ballpark at Howard Terminal, most recently this year the news was encouraging as the A’s received positive votes toward their ultimate goal of the $12 billion project, Oakland Howard Terminal.

But today another step backwards. The problem? Well, the ‘clock is ticking’. These groups that opposed the Howard Terminal project keep throwing grenades at the A’s and things (when they look like they’re moving along) they stall.

Major League Baseball Commissioner, Rob Manfred Jr. expects a yes or no (Oakland or Las Vegas) a final decision by summer 2022. In the meantime, the A’s continue to work with Las Vegas, in what Dave Kaval has called for a year now: “working on different parallels, with the same goal of a new ballpark for the A’s.”… by the bay or by the desert.

This was the statement today by the groups opposed to the Howard Terminal project:

“The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified by the City of Oakland for the Oakland A’s’ proposed project at Howard Terminal did not adequately disclose, analyze, or mitigate all of the significant adverse impacts this massive and disruptive redevelopment on the working waterfront will cause.

Every EIR is required to provide an objective and thorough analysis of impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures under California law, but the City’s EIR and environmental process failed to meet this mandate.

The A’s proposal to build a stadium and luxury condominiums, office and retail development will cause major disruptions and impacts to both the surrounding community and the operations of the Port, yet the EIR did not fully address these concerns or mitigate these well-known issues.

It also failed to accurately compare the Oakland Coliseum site as an alternative which would have far less adverse effects. It is simply not proper to ignore or defer analysis or mitigation of so many of the significant impacts identified in the more than 400 comments submitted by community and supply chain stakeholders, and as a result our only alternative is to pursue legal recourse.” 

Mike Jacob — East Oakland Stadium Alliance

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish 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: Baseball is On the Radio!

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Broadcaster Red Barber gets ready to call the next pitch as the hitter gets into the batter’s box on 710 WOR Radio New York. The Ol Red Head broadcasted for the Cincinnati Reds 1934-38, Brooklyn Dodgers 1939-53, and the New York Yankees 1954-66 (photo from the baseballhall.org)

Baseball is On the Radio!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It is that time of the year. Covid in the bottom of the ninth inning, a lockout that lasted for 100 days, the best quarterback in history retired (but did a Sinatra) a comeback, a very dangerous war going on in eastern Europe, and although summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, the ‘Boys of Summer’ are already playing in Arizona and Florida. The smell of beer, hot dogs and cotton candy is on the air, and so are the sounds of baseball on the radio.

Almost 101 years ago, KDKA radio, Pittsburgh, aired the first-ever live account of a baseball game on the radio, at Forbes Field home of the Pirates in the voice of Harold Arlin, a 25-year-old engineer. The Pirates were hosting Philadelphia.

The pioneer Arlin didn’t think much of this as he said: “To tell the truth, our guys at KDKA didn’t even think baseball would last on the radio. I did it as a one-shot project. No one had an inkling if we’d do baseball again.” KDKA a Westinghouse Electric Company station was the first commercial radio station in the country. Arlin, although an engineer, had some experience at the microphone.

A year before (1920) Mr.Arlin broadcast the results of the 1920 Presidential election, an Ohio event, as Republican Senator Warren G. Hardin from Ohio defeated Democratic Governor James. M. Cox also of Ohio by a landslide victory of every state outside the South and cleaning-up in the popular vote.

Historic KDKA Radio celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its first regular broadcast, radio 100th anniversary on Nov. 2, 2020. Currently, KDKA is well known as “The Voice of Pittsburgh”. 100.1 FM and 1020 AM.

That pioneer radio station opened the way for radio formats all over the country, not only carrying baseball but all other sports. There is no school known that will train to become a play-by-play/commentator announcer in baseball. Columbia School of Broadcasting, in Virginia, is a broadcasting journalism school.

Growing up as a kid in Cuba I was usually glued to the radio during the old Cuban Professional League and listened to such voices as the legendary Rafael “Felo” Ramírez (For a long time the Voice of the Miami Marlins) whom I had the privilege to share the microphone in the late 1990s during the old CBS/MLB Postseason Hispanic Radio Networks for the US and Latinamerica. Also the legendary voices of Cuban announcers like René Cañizales, Orlando Sanchez-Diago, whom I met at the Astrodome in Houston during the 1986 MLB All-Star Game. Manolo de la Reguera, Cuco Conde, Rafael Rubí, René Molina and Fernandito Menéndez, among others.

These were the voices of baseball I grew up listening to on my little radio on my end table inside my bedroom. They were the best companions, during the regular baseball games in the Cuban leagues ,including the Caribbean Baseball Series, as well as the World Series. Cuba was the first country to recreate a World Series for all Cuba and Latin America as the announcers,

Bob Canel and Rafael “Felo” Ramírez would call the games from NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City, the signal was sent from the stadium the game was played and relayed to a DC-3 airplane flying around the Caribbean. The signal was sent to Cuba and then continued to other countries.

During my years as a teenager in Miami I remember listening to Chicago White Sox voice of Bob Elson on WKAT AM who used to carry the Chicago White Sox games. In New York City, the one and only voice of the NY Yankees Mel “How ’bout that!”Allen and of course, here in the Bay Area, guys like Bill King, Lon Simmons, Hank Greenwald, Monte Moore and others, all which I had the pleasure to have known.

Today radio stations are hanging on to baseball broadcasts. Radio is no longer the king of baseball, like it used to be. First the advent of television and now social media, has reduced the impact of baseball on the radio.

Many stations cannot carry full schedules of 162 games, they cite conflicts with other programming, because of the nature of baseball, some games might go 3 to 4 hours or more in length and this presents a time-format problem for many stations because they might have to pre-empt other shows to make room for baseball and that might not be good business.

However, a radio station that is well managed can appreciate baseball, especially if it is well marketed and committed to serving its community will always represent a prestigious asset to its programming. A radio station owner used to tell me: “even if do not make money with baseball, as long as I do not lose money, I love the prestige that brings to the station and I use it to attract more advertisers”.

Radio is still a very personal thing when it comes to baseball, still, a companion that you can always keep at home, in the car, or in your telephone/computer at home or laptop, some of us remember the days of transistor radios, and how convenient it was to “take the game with you” with your transistor radio to the game, to work, some even took it to school, and got in trouble. I know.

Quote: “He throws a “radio ball”, a pitch you hear, but cannot see”. -Gene Mauch, Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies about Sandy Koufax fastball.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish 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’s News and Commentary podcast: Proposed changes in preventing sign stealing from MLB; Union must approve proposals

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Former Oakland A’s starter Mike Fiers sits by the A’s dugout was on the Houston Astros when sign stealing was taking place. Fiers reported such going ons and baseball and the players union are working on rule changes to prevent any further stealing of signs (file photo from USA Today)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Major League Baseball proposed new rules regarding electronically stolen signs which was revealed when the Houston Astros were stealing signs in the 2019 season. Mike Fiers the former A’s pitcher who was a key whistleblower that cracked the sign stealing case wide open when he was with the Houston Astros.

#2 Amongst the proposed rule changes which must be approved by the union, No more looking at scouting information in batting helmets for hitters, hitters will have to do their studying of opposing pitchers before the game in the clubhouse but cannot review opposing starters, middle relievers or closers.

#3 MLB proposed that no managers, coaches, or players may print any scouting reports that can be distributed after the first pitch of a game.

#4 MLB will allow pitchers and catchers to wear wireless pitch com devices voluntarily throughout the regular season.

#5 Amaury on the pitch com issue of wireless devices pitching stars Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals likes the new pitch com idea and the New York Mets Max Scherzer says he won’t use it. Both were player representatives during the MLB lockout.

#6 King Richard star Will Smith issues apology: Will Smith who starred as the father of Venus and Serena Williams as father Richard Williams in the movie King Richard who went on stage on Sunday night and slapped comedian Chris Rock issued a direct apology to Rock. Rock who was contacted by Los Angeles Police after the battery declined to press charges and has not issue any statements since the incident. The Oscars Academy has vehemently said they do not condone violence of this kind. The Academy has not issued any discipline against the Fresh Prince such as suspending him from the next Oscars Awards.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2022 A’s New Manager Kotsay will be Tested Early

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Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay will be taking on challenges this season and can he be as good of a manager that former A’s manager Bob Melvin was? (file photo from si.com)

2022 A’s New Manager: Kotsay will be Tested Early

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Mark Kotsay is the Oakland A’s rookie manager this season, and his new-look A’s will open the season on the road, on April 8, against the Philadelphia Phillies for three games, then on to Tampa Bay and four against the Rays, followed by three more north of the border in Toronto against the Jays. Three teams loaded with talented stars with hopes of going deep into the postseason.

Kotsay is a good baseball man, a good man that served as a coach for Bob Melvin. Eager to begin his new managerial career, as he will be challenged early. He is about to open the season against three of the best teams coming out of Spring Training.

The A’s will return home to open the season with a seven-game game home stand, four against the Orioles and three against the much improved Texas Rangers.

The A’s will stay by in bay and visit the San Francisco Giants in a brief two-game interleague series and then return to Oakland to host the Cleveland Guardians for three games, followed by Tampa Bay for three and then, on the road again.

The A’s 2022 season begins with 17-straight games (ten of those on the road). But Mark Kotsay always wanted the challenge. He was a durable player in the major leagues during a 17 year career, four of those seasons with the A’s.

This is what Billy Beane said after the hiring of Mark Kotsay, a 46-year-old who spent the previous six seasons as a coach for his predecessor Bob Melvin. “Even as a player, he’d always expressed this was something that he wanted to do. He immediately took a coaching job as soon as he stopped playing, which shows the passion that Mark has had to do what he’s getting ready to embark on.”

The new A’s skipper, born in Whittier, California, signed a three-year contract to manage the Oakland Athletics through the 2024 season. A great collegiate record for Kotsay who was the top amateur player in 1995 when he won the Golden Spikes Award.

He was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1995 College World Series with his team the California State Fullerton Titans, won first team All-American honors in 1995 and 1996 and also won an Olympic bronze medal.

He batted for a .404 average during his three collegiate seasons (a school career record) as they went 149-41 during those years. A first-round draft choice of the Florida Marlins and earned a World Series ring in 1997. Played for the A’s from 2004 to 2007.

Wishing all the best to Kotsay as he embarks into a new career as major league manager. The A’s are rebuilding this season and nobody expect them to be a serious contender on a division were just about every other team, Angels, Rangers and Mariners have gotten stronger with various deals during the winter.

The Houston Astros, with the return of their #1 pitcher Justin Verlander as still favorites to repeat as division champion, even though they lost their shortstop Carlos Correa who signed a very surprising, but lucrative three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins for $105 million. Correa’s Puerto Rican compatriots were saying, Ay bendito! trans: Oh bless! when he signed the deal.

Optimism is always a good way to approach everything in life. There are always surprises in this game. Best example was the Giants of 2021, winning their division with 107 victories. You cannot find anybody on this planet that could have predicted such a season.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Owner Charlie Oscar Finley Ahead of the Game

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Oakland A’s owner Charlie O Finley who made an appearance at the 1972 World Series at the Oakland Coliseum and owned the A’s from December 1960 until August 1980. Under his ownership the A’s won three straight World Series 1972 to 1974. (photo from Forbes)

A’s Owner Charlie Oscar Finley: Ahead of the Game

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

When baseball people talk and write about Kansas City and Oakland A’s owner Charlie O. Finley, they do not only talk about how controversial he was, how much he paid or did not paid his players, or winning three consecutive World Series, (something only done by one other team, the NY Yankees) but they also realize how much of a visionary and innovator he was.

An old friend of mine used to tell me all the time “most people do not get what they deserve”, but, in the case of Charlie O Finley he deserves to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

This is amplified today, when the game of baseball is going through sort of a “revolution”, which social media, all the statistics you need and really do not need to know, the designated hitter, the ghost runner, 7-inning doubleheaders, the exit velocity right off the bat, a future pitch clock, baseball is suffering from lack of interest by the younger population and only God knows how much more on the way.

Charlie O. Finley is also very well knows by baseball historians for his innovations to the game of baseball. Here is some of what Finley brought to the game.

1-Color Uniforms: In 1963, few years prior to the franchise moving from Kansas City, to Oakland, the A’s who wore red-white and blues uniforms in KC. Mr. Finley introduced colors, like Kelly Green, Fort Knox Gold and Wedding Gown White. These uniforms stood-up instantly on the field. The A’s uniforms inspire and changed the game forever. In 1967 Finley introduced white shoes, just one year prior to moving to the Oakland Coliseum, in Oakland, California. A success now teams wear all kinds of different uniforms and colors of shoes. Mr. Finley was ahead of the game.

2-A Three Ball Walk: In 1971 games in both leagues were low scoring. Finley believed that instead of the traditional 4-ball walk to a hitter, there was a better way and came up with the idea of a 3-ball walk. Thinking it will shorten the game. Although that was not adopted. Today there is all kinds of talk on how shorten the game. In the minor leagues a pitch clock was used as an experiment and next season 2023 the Major Leagues are scheduled to adopt it. Again Mr. Finley was ahead of the game.

3-Inter-League Play: The Athletics owner wanted the American League to play the National League. He felt that it should be good for regional rivalries and this would create more interest among the fans, Charlie O. Finley died in 1996. That same year, owners unanimously approve inter-league play for the 1997 season. Mr. Finley was ahead of the game.

4-Designated Hitter: The A’s owner was a major proponent of the DH, that was very controversial then, but in 1973 that became reality. And this (2022) owners and players union approved the Universal Designated Hitter. Finley wanted to go further. The DH was usually a slugger, and slow runner, so Finley also wanted sort of a DR = Designated Runner. As a matter of fact he hired Herb Washington in 1974-1975 just to come up to run the bases after the DH got on. For 105 games Herb Washington just ran the bases, not for one second he took the field to play defense. Washington stole 38 bases in 41 attempts. Also Finley’s A’s were the only team to do such with Herb Washington; however Finley was on the right track when it came to the Designated Hitter. Charlie O Finley, again, was ahead of the game.

5-Night Playoff Games: The A’s owner talks about the advantage of having postseason games at night. He believed since most of the fans worked during the day (except on weekend) this would be a good marketing move for the game and popular to millions of fans that follow the game. He was ahead on this also!

6-Women in the Game: Mr. Finley’s A’s were the first team ever to use ball girls on the field. It was a good idea not only from the marketing point of view, but it opened the doors to more women and men getting involved in the game. Today many teams have not only ball girls on the field as well as Ball Boys and Ball Dudes (usually mature men) fan participation is popular. Yes, Finley was ahead of the game.

I recently spoke with Nancy Finley whose father was Carl Finley who was also the Vice President and a silent partner to Charlie. I used to talk with him a lot in the Press Box at the Coliseum back in the middle of the 1970’s; he was a very busy man.

Carl was cousin of Charlie Finley and according to his daughter Nancy: “Dad’s title was V.P. Dad was actually a silent partner to Charlie. This became well known at the time. Charlie trusted dad and not many others”, she continued, “Dad ran the team, 24/7 on a daily basis while Charlie was in Chicago most of the time. Charlie and dad spoke on the phone once or more per day” and “Dad was who kept everything intact throughout the mid to late 1970’s which were crucial”; Len Shapiro once said this to me as well as Andy Dolich. “With home games, dad approved the roster, from Clubhouse to Ownership; dad was who had the authority next to Charlie”. I fully agree with Nancy Finley that Charlie O Finley should be in Cooperstown.

Anybody who knows about the history of this game agrees that Charlie Oscar Finley was an innovator who left his fingerprints on the game of baseball. Love him, hate him (and many players did, he refused to pay million dollar salaries) doesn’t matter how you feel.

The fact remains that his contributions to the great game of baseball should be rewarded by a posthumously induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York.

Yes, Major League Baseball owners also are inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. I hope in the near future they make room for Charlie O Finley. He deserves it.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: The Tale of the Fire Sale–Chapman looks very close to leaving for Philadelphia or New York

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Oakland A’s Matt Chapman (26) will not be forearm bashing anymore with former teammate Matt Olson (right) seen here Mar 5, 2021 against the Los Angeles Angels in spring training at Hohokam Park in Mesa. Olson now with the Atlanta Braves and Chapman on the trade block (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, it comes as no surprise that once the lockout was lifted the Oakland A’s would have an early season fire sale and pitcher Chris Bassitt who left for the New York Mets was one of the first followed by A’s first baseman Matt Olson.

#2 And while it’s no surprise of their departure it’s still hard to grasp for anyone who follows the A’s that it’s a hard pill to swallow to have to say good bye to Bassitt, Olson and soon to be Matt Chapman.

#3 Olson led in many categories for the A’s at different times with on base percentage .371, 101 runs, 153 hits, 35 doubles, RBIs, home runs and walks with 88, 74 base hits, and four stolen bases.

#4 The in picking for players from the Atlanta Braves in the Olson deal two right handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes, catcher Shea Langeliers and outfielder Cristian Pache. Langeliers could be the key player in the deal a number one draft choice for the Braves. A’s team vice president Billy Beane might have some of that Money Ball magic going again and have himself a core of players in the works.

#5 Amaury talk about Matt Chapman being on the trade block bubble he’s the All Star third baseman the guy that A’s fans sought in their pack of baseball cards he’s very close to being no more and the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies are shopping Chapman hard core he might get a crazy Bryce Harper type contract.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzaelz at the mic for Oakland A’s Spanish radio beisbol all season long on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: USA and Béisbol – Se Habla Español

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Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum logo. The Museum honors former Hispanic players in MLB (image from GuideStar)

USA and Béisbol – Se Habla Español

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The most recent US Census (2020) list Hispanics/Latinos as the largest minority in the United States. Around 18.7% of the US total population speaks Spanish, that is 62.1 million people, which makes the US  the second largest country in the world with Spanish speaking people.

México is #Uno and then the US #Dos. As a matter of fact the US have more people that speak Spanish than, Argentina and Colombia (two Latin American countries) each with just over 40 million Spanish speakers.

The US also “Habla Béisbol” when it comes to the boys of summer. Among all 30 Major League teams at least 32% of all players are Hispanics/Latinos, which comprises the largest minority. Among all 50 States, California leads the way as of 2020, census, with approximately  16 million Hispanic/Latinos in California.

Many will argue that because of “documentation reasons” (not full disclosure) the State of California might have close to 20 million or more people that speak Spanish, which would be around half of the population of the Golden State.

As far as Spanish speaking Béisbol fans. According to statista.com, over 20% of MLB fans in the United States are Hispanic/Latino. Total breakdown of the Ethnicity of MLB fans:

53% white, 29% Hispanic/Latinos, 17% African-Americans and 5% other. Our two MLB teams here in the Bay Area, according to statista.com,

Oakland A’s fans are: 53% White, 25% Hispanic/Latinos, 17% African-American and 5% Other.

The San Francisco Giants, 54% White, 25% Hispanic/Latino, 16% African-American and 5% Other.

The other three teams in Southern California lead the way when it comes to Hispanic Latino fans.

The Los Angeles Dodgers 51% White, 29% Hispanic/Latinos, 16% African-American and 4% Other.

The Los Angeles Angels, 49% White, 29% Hispanic/Latinos, 19% African-American and 5% Other.

San Diego Padres, 56% White, 26% Hispanic/Latino, 14% African-American and 4% Other.

Hispanic Latino buying power: Hispanic buying power also has grown substantially over the last 30 years, from $213 billion in 1990 to $1.9 trillion in 2020. Hispanic buying power accounted for 11.1% of U.S. buying power in 2020, up from only 5% in 1990. 

The Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s business school list the total buying powers of the US Hispanic population at $1.539 trillion in 2018 and adding more than $500 billion since 2010 and is expected to grow nearly $400 billion more by 2023.

At this time, after the CBA was ratified yesterday, dozens of Hispanic/Latino players are leaving their homes for Spring Training, not only here in the US, but also from many Latin American countries were béisbol is king heading to tier camps in Arizona and Florida.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Peace After 99 Days!

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addresses the news media on Tue Mar 1, 2022 in Jupiter FL. On Thu Mar 10, 2022 MLB and the Players Union agreed on a new CBA which should run through 2027 (AP News file photo)

MLB: Peace After 99 Days!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

The lockout by owners of the players on December 2, 2021, concluded at mid-afternoon today in Manhattan, New York City as the MLB and the MLPA agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Ending the first work-stoppage since the 1994-95 players strike.

Both sides went back and forth for months (with periods of inactivity) and at the end it concluded today. Last night Commissioner Manfred said the 2022 season will begin on April 14 (if by then everything was agreed upon).

Because of this agreement today the season is now scheduled to begin April 7, instead of the scheduled date, since last year of March 31. However, the regular 162 game schedule is on tap and they all be played, as those games from March 31 to April 6, will be made up through off days and double-headers during the season.

Among some of the issues resolved per this new CBA.

1-Minimum salary: $700,000 and peaks at $780,000 in final year of CBA

2-Pre-arbitration bonus pool: $50 million

3-CBT threshold: $230 million in 2023 and peaks at $244 in final year of CBA

If you are keeping score of which side won? I would not go there. I would honestly say, they both won, you never see any of these two groups of people looking for food in the trash bins behind McDonald’s.

So…Play Ball and good luck to everybody and your favorite teams.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez will be back behind the Oakland A’s Spanish radio microphone for the 2022 season and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Thats Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB No Deal Around and Around It Goes

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Chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer, center, and general counsel Ian Penny, right, seen after negotiations at the Major League Baseball offices leave for the day in New York on Wed Mar 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

MLB: No Deal – Around and Around it Goes…

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball Commissioner Mr. Rob Manfred, Jr. spoke today after many days and hours (some that went from day to night) on the latest situation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which should be re-named (in my opinion) The Collective Bargaining Disagreement. This is what Mr. Manfred just told the baseball world this afternoon from New York City.

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today:

“In a last-ditch effort to preserve a 162-game season, this week we have made good-faith proposals that address the specific concerns voiced by the MLBPA and would have allowed the players to return to the field immediately. The Clubs went to extraordinary lengths to meet the substantial demands of the MLBPA. On the key economic issues that have posed stumbling blocks, the Clubs proposed ways to bridge gaps to preserve a full schedule. Regrettably, after our second late-night bargaining session in a week, we remain without a deal.

“Because of the logistical realities of the calendar, another two series are being removed from the schedule, meaning that Opening Day is postponed until April 14th. We worked hard to reach an agreement and offered a fair deal with significant improvements for the players and our fans. I am saddened by this situation’s continued impact on our game and all those who are a part of it, especially our loyal fans.

“We have the utmost respect for our players and hope they will ultimately choose to accept the fair agreement they have been offered.”

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: MLB and union far apart on Collective Balance Tax

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Major League Baseball Players Executive Tony Clark and the players are pretty much dug in on issues of the pre arbitration bonus pool and Collective Balance Tax. The owners and union met for 90 minutes on Sun Mar 6, 2022 and adjourned until next week Mon Mar 14th in Jupiter Florida (USA Today file photo)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Amuary, under the latest offer from the MLB players union the agreement would allow a 14 second pitch clock when the bases are empty and a 19 second clock when there are runners on base, larger bases, but we should say after 90 minutes of meeting on Sunday the two sides broke off talks without an agreement and will meet again next week Monday.

#2 Other issues that were proposed the union lowered pre arbitration bonus pool going from $85 million to $80 million. The owners want a $30 million bonus pool on this bullet point it leaves a huge $50 million gap between the two sides.

#3 Amaury the hottest button in the talks is the Collective Balance Tax the union didn’t budge from it’s $238 million to a $263 million tax growth. The league proposed a slow climb on the CBT starting at $220 million to $230 million. Four owners have voted no on the players proposal and it’s been the sticking point in these negotiations.

#4 The union wants a minimum salary of $725,000 with a $20,000 raise for each season. MLB wants a $700,000 minimum with an annual $10,000 raise.

#5 The union has asked for a draft lottery of the top six pick and MLB wants the top five picks this could be one issue that could agree on one way or the other.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com