Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Will A’s consider hiring Ron Washington as manager?/ Wash would entertain job offers

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Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington during batting practice before game 1 of the 2021 World Series in Houston on Tue Oct 26, 2021. The big question was raised will Washington get a chance to manage the Oakland A’s where the job is open once again for Wash (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commetary:

#1 How serious should the Oakland A’s get about bringing Ron Washington back to Oakland and making him their manager?

#2 The A’s missed the boat on having Wash as their manager and his coming off coaching a World’s Champion team the Atlanta Braves is all the reason why the A’s should consider him.

#3 Washington has taken the Texas Rangers to World Series as manager twice in 2010 and 2011and A’s team vice president Billy Beane knows Wash’s body of work but will he even give Washington an interview and most importantly hire him as the A’s new skipper?

#4 Turning to NBA basketball the Golden State Warriors are 8-1 and have won five straight games and have been rock solid consistent it looked like they were going to have problems since last year they didn’t make post season and struggled but this year they look like one of those teams they used to have that made the finals.

#5 The San Jose Sharks (6-4-1) have lost three straight games and have seven players out with Covid 19 protocols including head coach Bob Boughner the Sharks are in Calgary tonight to start a five game road trip and without most of their key players want to start this road trip with a win.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Supervisor Chan, Posey, Braves, and MLB Collective Bargaining

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Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan who died Wed Nov 3, 2021 after be struck by a car in Alameda while walking her dog. Chan was 72 and was one of four County Supervisors who voted for the Oakland A’s new ballpark Howard Terminal. Here Chan speaks to the Alameda County Asian Health Services in Oakland on Wed Oct 27, 2021 (AP News photo)

Supervisor Chan, Posey, Braves, CBA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan died after being struck by a car Wednesday. She was walking her dog in Alameda, according to her office said in a statement. Chan suffered a head injury and died shortly at Highland Hospital. Police say the driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

She was a hard working Supervisor for the people of the county and recently voted for the Howard Terminal new ballpark for the Oakland A’s. Although she was ‘on the fence’ on to build or not to build the Howard Terminal ballpark, at the end she was one of the four supervisors that voted in favor by a final tally of 4 to 1. May she Rest in Peace.

— Buster Posey announced his retirement after 12 years as catcher for the San Francisco Giants. Posey ends his career with three World Series rings as well as Rookie of the Year, seven (7) All Star Game appearances and MVP of the National League in 2012. In 2020 Posey did not played.

He chose to stay home with his family because of covid epidemic. Giants were ready to welcome Posey back for 2022, but he chose to retire to stay home with his family. A good decision (although he left over some $20 million dollars on the table) he is a principle family man of conviction with very straight set of priorities. Congratulations Buster Posey, who might be in the Hall of Fame five years from now.

— Atlanta Braves victory parade in downtown Atlanta, with millions of Atlanta fans on the streets, many with Tomahawks in hand. The parade ended at Truist Park, Home of the Braves, where all fans were allowed to walk into the park for free and celebrate with the players.

This Braves championship ends an incredible story where Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred removed the All Star Game from Atlanta to Denver in July in protest for a new ID voting law in Atlanta, which stands today and moved it to Denver, where there happens to be a similar law.

Atlanta is now recuperating from the financial lost of not hosting the ASG. They are benefiting much more economically and in prestige as they have won their second World Series since they play in Atlanta. Congratulations Atlanta, Georgia. This should be a lesson to Commissioner Manfred, that he is the Commissioner of Baseball and politics are not his forte. Leave the politics outside the stadium.

— Owners and Players of Major League Baseball have until December 2 (expiration day) to work out a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement). Last time it was negotiated was 2016. There are many issues to be resolved – typical management (owners) vs. labor (players).

There is a feeling in the business that there is a high probability of a lockout of the 2022 season. Later this month I will have this issue explained in more detail as it is my feeling, that if they lockout the sport this might be very close to committing suicide and like 1994 (the last work stoppage) where the game “came back” in 1998 because of the home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, this time they might not be able to comeback.

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

That’s Amaury’s World Series News and Commentary podcast: Miracle Astros come back and keep coming back

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Houston Astro Jose Altuve gets congratulations after scoring on a single in the top of the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game 5 of the 2021 World Series at Truist Field in Cobb County (AP News photo)

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

#1 Amaury, it really says a lot about the Houston Astros that they could come back after the Atlanta Braves hit a grand slam in the first inning and the score twice in the second and third innings and three times in the top of the fifth in game four.

#2 How remarkable is it for the Astros who were down 3-1 have now cut the lead to just one game for the Braves at 3-2. The series goes back to Houston for games six and possibly game seven.

#3 If the Astros can pull it off at Minute Maid Field tonight and force a game 7 what will they say about about manager Dusty Baker whose been a bit of a strategist in this World Series?

#4 It looks like last game 5 will be one that will be for the ages if the Astros come back and win games six and seven it will be game 5 that will long be talked about by both sides the Braves and Astros.

#5 Amaury talk about the pitching match ups for tonight’s game in Houston. The Braves have announced that Max Fried will go in game six and the Astros will start Luis Garcia for tonight.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has called past World Series on Spanish national radio and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Tha’ts Amaury News and Commentary: Bob Melvin A Bay Area original to San Diego

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Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin who signed a three year deal with the San Diego Padres last week should right the ship at San Diego with such superstar players as Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. (file photo by the Detroit News)

Bob Melvin A Bay Area original to San Diego

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–In case anybody forgot. The last three managers of the San Diego Padres were rookie managers at the time they were signed. This next season the Padres are going for the experience. In 2022 they will have an experienced, steady, and calm hand at the helm. Melvin managed the A’s for 11 seasons and leaves very good memories with the Oakland A’s fans in the Bay Area and everywhere. With constant personal changes every year, Melvin led the A’s to three (3) AL Western Division titles and six (6) playoff berths.

The three-time Manager of the Year (2007 Arizona and 2012 and 2018 Oakland) will take his managing skills and relaxed style to beautiful PETCO Park in downtown San Diego, where he will be managing such players as Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, and Jay Cronenworth.

The Padres were the biggest underachievers in baseball. Many picked them to rival the Dodgers in the NL West but ended in third place 28 games out of first place. They also suffered some key injuries and it was an ugly year for the Friars.

Bob Melvin is truly a Bay Area original, born in Palo Alto, went to High School on the Peninsula, and the East Bay at the University of California at Berkeley. Played as a catcher for 10 years in the major leagues including from 1986 to 1988 with the San Francisco Giants, his longest tenure among the seven teams he played for.

Melvin is well known for developing good relationships among his players. He listens to them, communicates well, and sometimes sends a player a text message or two. He knows his players, leads them on the field, and guides them to navigate the world of Major League Baseball, especially the young players that come to Oakland. Yoenis Céspedes (a star outfielder and one of A’s fan favorites) told me once about Melvin: “es un buen manager, me conoce como jugador y siempre me mantiene al tanto de todo” (trans) “he is a good manager, he knows me as a player and he keeps me aware of everything going on”.

Communication is never overrated for a manager, especially in today’s game, where it is becoming more of a players game and so many decisions are made from “upstairs” inside the front offices of many ball-clubs, without the human element and where computers and statistics in this fast world of communications are running the show.

I was always impressed with Melvin’s style of manager and often told him, “someday you are going to be a General Manager”. He usually smiled and dismisses it not saying much about it. From his days in Seattle to his time at Oakland where he managed the longest, 11 years, he will be missed. We will miss him, affable, always available to the media, and definitely a fan favorite for Oakland A’s fans. Definitely a Bay Area original.

We wish BoMel nothing but the utmost success in one of America’s Finest Cities.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Sharks Fiesta Hispana “Los Tiburones” Night in San Jose

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Insignia of the shirsey sponsored by Milagro Tequila that will be given on Oct 30, 2021 at SAP Center vs. the Winnipeg Jets on Hispanic Heritage Night with the game broadcast in Spanish on NBC California with Jesus Zarate and Amaury Pi Gonzalez (nhl.com photo)

Sharks Fiesta Hispana “Los Tiburones” Night in San José

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

SAN JOSE–On Saturday October 30 at the SAP Arena aka The Tank, the San José Sharks will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night with their fans as they host the Winnipeg Jets. The Sharks won the game against the Winnipeg Jets in San José, October 16, Opening Night by a 4-3 score. Fans in attendance this Saturday will receive a shirsey sponsored by Milagro Tequila.

According to the 2020 US Census, San José is the 10th most populated city in the United States with 1,013,240 residents of which 32.2 % are Hispanics and the third most populated city in the State of California, behind Los Angeles and San Diego. (Among the largest cities in California only Los Angeles and San Diego showed more Hispanics than San José)

The game this Saturday will be broadcasted in Spanish over the SAP channel on NBC Sports California, the Sharks Audio Network and the Sharks SAP Center App. This will be the third time (2018 and 2019) the Sharks will broadcast the game in Spanish language. Jesús Zárate and Amaury Pi-González, at the microphone with the call. The Hispanic community in the Bay Area and especially in San José, wishes Los Tiburones a great 2021-22 season and is rooting for the team to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup.

Español: Fiesta con “Los Tiburones”Noche Hispana en San José. Este Sábado 30 de Octubre en la Arena SAP de San José (El Tanque) los Tiburones de San José reciben a los Winnipeg Jets en la Noche de la Herencia Hispana. Sharks le ganaron a Winnipeg 4-3 el 16 de Octubre en la Noche de Apertura en San José. Todos los que lleguen reciben un Shirsey (camiseta) patrocinado por Milagro Tequila.

Según el Censo (US), San José es la 10ma ciudad más poblada de los Estados Unidos, con 1,013,240 residentes, de los cuales 32.2 % son Hispanos, además de ser la tercera ciudad más poblada de California detrás de Los Angeles y San Diego. (Entre las ciudades más grandes de California, solo Los Angeles y San Diego cuentan con más Hispanos que San José)

El juego del Sábado será tranmsitido en Español vía canal secundario de audio SAP en NBC Sports California (TV) y por el Sharks SAP Center App. Será la tercera ocasión los Sharks transmiten en Español (2018 y 2019). Jesús Zárate y Amaury Pi-González al micrófono con la descripción. La comunidad Hispana del Area de la Bahía, especialmente en San José, le desean una gran temporada 2021-22 a Los Tiburones apoyando al equipo hasta el final de la Copa Stanley.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the color analyst for with Jesus Zarate doing the play by play on NBC Sports California on Sat Oct 30, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose as the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks face off and Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Alameda County Votes Yes on Howard Terminal

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval standing at Mount Davis at the Oakland Coliseum is hoping that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will eventually approve funding for a new ballpark at Howard Terminal Jack London Square in downtown Oakland (file photo from Alameda Magazine)

Alameda County Votes Yes on A’s in Oakland Letter of Intent

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–After five hours, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors came to a “Yes” vote this Tuesday, which allows the Athletics to keep working towards the final goal of building the Howard Terminal ballpark. However, this is a non-binding agreement that gives Alameda County the right to walk away if they do not come to a final agreement. There is work ahead and various studies before everything is finalized.

The A’s will continue to pursue their plan in Las Vegas as they have been doing now for a few months with a total of six trips. After the conclusion of the 2021 World Series, Oakland A’s team president Dave Kaval will release a list of the three or four final sites in the Las Vegas Valley.

There was support and opposition, most of the opposition came from the Port of Oakland which claims that their plans of expanding the basin could be in danger if the A’s build a ballpark. If there is a binding agreement it will have the County of Alameda and the City of Oakland for 45 years together benefiting from taxes under a governed public finance board.

Both the A’s and the City of Oakland are waiting for a finalized environmental impact study. Much other work needs to be done until there is a final agreement. For Mr.Kaval if the A’s stay in Oakland or move to Las Vegas, he says the following: “We’re supporting at the end of the day of getting the project done. We have already taken too long, at least in our mind. So, we’re just trying to find a feasible path”.

A few days ago the Commissioner of MLB Rob Manfred said he was not optimistic about the chances of the Oakland A’s to build a park in Oakland. It would be interesting what Mr.Manfred has to say now since he believes the time is running out on this project.

We can say it was a good night for the Oakland A’s and their fans, but nothing is official. The only thing we know is that the A’s have a Letter of Intent of keeping the Howard Terminal project still alive. Non-binding means: ‘having no legal or binding force’. There will be more to this story during the next few days and weeks.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Yankees give Boone 3 more years; Nets will feel Irving’s absence; plus more

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone seen talking to the media before the AL Wild Card game on Mon Oct 4, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston has signed a three year deal with the Yankees for three years to remain as manager. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone will return next season. Boone signed for a three contract and has an option for 2025. Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner said that Boone has acumen and brings respect in the clubhouse.

#2 Boone and the Yankees finished in third in the AL East and lost to the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card game that put Boone’s future with the Yankees in jeopardy. Steinbrenner felt that Boone had the respect of the players to return and make a run at the post season.

#3 Jessica turning to the NBA the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks who battled in an opening night game in Milwaukee. The Bucks held the lead for pretty much of the game later to win it 127-104. It’s early to tell but without Kyrie Irving in for the Nets does his absence from the team for Covid-19 protocol issues have an impact on the team?

#4 Taking a look at the MLB post season. The Atlanta Braves have had such a hold on the Dodgers winning the first two games of the series by two walk off hits in the ninth in Atlanta. The Braves taking a significant lead on the Dodgers on Tuesday night 5-2 in Los Angeles. The Dodgers made a comeback 6-5 to win game 3 with a 2-1 Braves margin. The Braves now with a 3-1 series lead won a laugher in game 4 on Wednesday night need one more win to sweep the series.

#5 It’s been a series the Houston Astros have a 3-2 lead on the Boston Red Sox taking a 9-1 laugher in Boston in game 5. The Astros had their biggest inning in the top of the sixth scoring five runs and now returning to Houston on Friday night for game 6 and they are the brink of eliminating the Red Sox needing just one more win.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Dodgers on the brink of elimination; Can Raiders new coach put Gruden in review mirrior?; plus more

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The Atlanta Braves Eddie Rosario is mobbed after swinging for the game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning in game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sun Oct 17, 2021 at Turist Field in Cobb County GA (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, how hard, how unbelievable is it that the Los Angeles Dodgers (0-2) are down in the first two games of the NLCS to the Atlanta Braves (2-0). In both loses the Dodgers have lost by a run and on walks off hits.

#2 Talk about Kyle Schwarber of the Boston Red Sox parked one in the Fenway Park bleachers for a grand slam homer in the bottom of the second inning off Houston Astros starter Jose Urquidy. The Red Sox have been somewhat the surprise team in the post season they win game 12-3 and now are in front of the Astros 2-1.

#3 Turning to football, Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia got off to a good start with a convincing 34-24 win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday at Empower Stadium to improve the Raiders record to 4-2 it had to take off some of the pressure on the Raiders after the Jon Gruden debacle.

#4 Turning to Pac 12 football Washington State Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich was fired by the university for refusing to take a Covid-19 vaccination shot. Some of the Cougars assistant coaches also were let go as they too refused to get vaccinated. Washington State employees are required to take the Covid-19 shot failure resulted in their termination.

#5 In the NHL the San Jose Sharks got their first victory on opening night at SAP Center over the visiting Winnipeg Jets as the Sharks embark on this current five game road trip they will come back for to San Jose face Montreal on Thu 28 and Winnipeg on Sat 30th. Amaury I know you have the 30th circled a big day for the Sharks as they will broadcast their first Spanish televised game that night with play by play announcer Jesus Zarate and yourself with color analysis.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A disputed check swing and why rule should be changed

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A moment that will be discussed for years to come the Wilmer Flores check swing ruled a strike by first base umpire Gabe Morales in the bottom of the ninth during the NLDS game 5 on Thu Oct 14, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco for the last out against the Los Angeles Dodgers (AP News photo)

A Disputed Check Swing and Why Rule should be Changed

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Thousands of people at Oracle Park in San Francisco and millions across the country witnessed a terrible call by first base umpire Gabe Morales, (after a request asking for help, from the home plate umpire) decided a Wilmer Flores “swing” for the third strike, thus ending Game 5 which Dodgers won 5-4 over the Giants. Dodgers advanced to the NLCS and Giants went home for the winter.

During the past several years baseball has been changing many things, mostly trying to speed up the game. Here is one rule that they should change. What we all witness happens more often than you think, probably thousands of times during games in the regular season, but what made it much more blatant was it was the last out of a very important game with a huge television audience. TBS telecast of this game delivered the biggest audience this postseason so far.

Baseball uses six (6) umpires during the postseason, the regular four (4) on the infield, plus two (2) are added, one on left field and one in right field. We know this is done for the sake of accuracy because these are much more important games than the 162-regular season affairs. This rule (see MLB rules below) should be revised and possibly changed. The rule in question is very nebulous.

For the record: Wilmer Flores, prior to the questioned at-bat and during his career, never got a hit from Max Scherzer in 17 turns at the plate with 8 strikeouts. The probability that Flores was going to get a hit against this pitcher was very low, but just like baseball is not played on paper but on the field, baseball is also not played in probability but in actual time on the field. The Giants, including their manager Gabe Kapler showed a lot of class, considering what happened during what was out number 27 and the last one of that crucial game for both teams.

As of today I have never met a robot and had a conversation with one or somebody that walked on water and never made a mistake, I believe umpire Gabe Morales also was very candid after the game when he said the following (quote) “Check swings are one of the hardest calls we have. I don’t have the benefit of multiple camera angles when I’m watching it live. When it happened live, I thought he went, so that’s why I called it a swing.” (end of quote) Check swings are interpreted many ways by different umpires, not reliable when it comes to consistency. It is like the argument “what came first the chicken or the egg”?

Major League Baseball has a lot on their agenda this winter, especially negotiating a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) describing the rules of employment and financial structure of the game. The most recent was finalized on November 30, 2016 and last until December 1, 2021. This is a big deal for both sides, owners, and players, and will take a very good effort from both sides.

I am sure MLB still will have time on how to correct the controversial “check swing” rule, a very confusing rule that makes umpires more vulnerable and open for mistakes based on interpretation. This is the link to the Official Baseball rules. http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: National Fallout League; NFL Calls for Widespread Investigation

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National Fallout League: NFL Calls for Widespread Investigation

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Bomani Jones radio talk show host had NFLPA Chief DeMaurice Smith on his show and discussed the Gruden emails at length. (CNN file photo)

Just days after Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden resigned, the NFL is now opening up a big investigation. DeMaurice Smith Chief of the NFLPA (players association) wonders whether racial bias is included in messages and he is curious about what else is in the many emails that were gathered as part of the league’s investigation into the Washington Football Team. During an appearance on ESPN this Wednesday “The Right Time with Bomani Jones” podcast he wonders whether there is evidence that hiring decisions were made depending a candidate’s skin color.

Rich Bisaccia, Raiders special teams coordinator was named the interim coach for the team and when asked on Wednesday about the situation that caused Jon Gruden to resign as coach: “The Raiders have always stood for diversity, inclusion, social justice. It’s important to live those ideals and carry them into the future. We cannot change the past, but we can do more to maybe make tomorrow better.”

But now, ‘the cat is out of the bag’ and all all-of-a-sudden the NFL is opening an investigation to dig deeper into this issue.

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