Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Angels dismissal of Albert Pujols

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The Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout (right) says it hit him a lot when he found out that Albert Pujols (left) was released for assignment by the Angels and some veteran players felt it wasn’t right what happened to Pujols (photo from the New York Post)

The Angels Dismissal of Alberto Pujols

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Last week the Los Angeles Angels designated for assignment/released the future Hall of Fame player (maybe unanimously) Albert Pujols. Logically, anybody that is following the Angels knows that with Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Othani, when he doesn’t starts a game on the mound, he is the team’s Designated Hitter and the resurgence of young first baseman Jared Walsh who is hitting over .300 with enough power to hit 30 or more home-runs this year, Pujols was not getting the playing time and at bats he wanted. That is a given.

However, to designate for assignment a player of Albert Pujols caliber, on the last year of his ten-year contract at the beginning of the month of May is not something you see every day and the team made the decision after only 29 games he had participated and them showed him the door.

Management is entitled to make their decision, that is what management in a front office does, but in my book the Angels did not show much grace to a man that played and who represented them very well since he signed ten seasons ago. In retrospect; could the Angels have spoken to him and told him of the possibility that he might be let go, depending how things worked as the season unfolded?

–More on this further down–This is a very emotional decision. The Angels want to win this year, they play in the same market as the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers who have won eight consecutive Western Division titles in the National League, plus the 2020 World Series and the Angels have not made it to the Postseason since 2014, and counting, with what many still consider the best player in the game, Mike Trout.

This looked (to me) like a decision that should had been made differently. It looked like it was not thought through. The LA Angels probably believe that a man that was hitting under .200 is “done” and they want to contend this year for a division title, so they dumped Albert Pujols so that Shohei Othani and Jared Walsh could handle the DH and 1B position, without interruption.

By the way hitting under .200 for everyday players at this time in baseball history should not be the main factor. If that is the reason. then most teams most release three or four players right away. Albert Pujols is one of the best players of this or any other generation. His ten-year $240 million salary ends this season, but the Angels are still responsible for paying remainder of his $30 million this year.

I called the 600th Home-run of his career one night at Angel Stadium for Fox Sport West (Español). Pujols is as dedicated to his craft as anybody I have seen in this game, Mike Trout (who himself is on his way to a Hall of Fame career) would always look to Pujols for hitting and guidance overall, not to mention many Latino players on the team. Pujols led by example, never a scandal, always on time for practice, always there for the team, always representing the Angels and the game of baseball as good as anybody.

Albert Pujols did not want to retire; he believes he still has something left in the tank. It would be interesting to see if another team would pick up Pujols. Tony LaRussa, back as manager with the White Sox has always been a big fan and friend of the Dominican-born player, when he played in St Louis and LaRussa was his manager, however, the Chicago White Sox are a young team with Yermin Mercedes, who is often a designated hitter and who is having a very nice season. If Albert Pujols gets the opportunity to play again if would be in the American League where he can DH. We can discount the National League.

According to reports five days after his release, Pujols wanted to be released if he could not get enough playing time. Anyway we look at it; it is not a good ending of a story. In reality, we might have seen the last of a Hall of Fame player.

Albert Pujols, 41 years old. three Time National League Most Valuable Player— Rookie of the Year— ten-Time All-Star– two-World Series Titles– two Gold Glove–six-Silver Slugger–Batting Title–National League Championship Series MVP– Among the Top Five players in MLB history in Home-runs 667, Runs-batted-in 2,100, Extra-base hits 1,352.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland Athletics Spanish radio network and on flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Why is Ted Williams in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame?

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Former Boston Red Sox and of Mexican heritage Ted Williams in 1941 hit for .406 a record that still stands today (photo from masslive.com)

Why is Ted Williams in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1999, registered by the State of California as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Through the years at many of the exhibits, at different cities, baseball parks, libraries and community events, people ask why Ted Williams is inducted into the museum. Few people knew Teddy Ballgame had Mexican ancestry.

He just did not tell people about it. His father was Teddy Samuel Williams. Ted Williams was named after his father and Teddy Roosevelt. His mother May Venzor, was Mexican-American, born in El Paso, Texas, about 9 miles from Ciudad Juárez, México.

In that time in history (1940’s and 1950’s) Williams did not discussed his mother’s Mexican and Basque heritage. Williams wrote in his biography, ‘My Turn at Bat’, “If I had my mother’s name, there’s no doubt I would have run into problems in those days, with the prejudices people had in Southern California”.

But Williams also had credited his uncle, Saul Venzor, teaching him to hit and throw a baseball. It’s important to understand the era and circumstances when considering why Williams didn’t discuss his mother’s Mexican and Basque heritage. During an exhibit of the museum, at the San Francisco Main Library, in downtown San Francisco, a lot of people asked why Ted Williams is in this Hall of Fame.

Obviously many people still ignore his heritage and that is understandable, since the name Ted Williams is anything but Hispanic. Included in the purpose of the museum mission, is to inform the public in this regard about the great diversity that makes the large group of nations in Latin America as well as those born in the United States of Hispanic heritage.

There are 33 different countries in Latin America, with different cultures and traditions and even different languages. As a matter of fact in Brazil (the largest country in Latinamerica) Spanish is not the predominant language, but Portuguese. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world by territory, larger than Russia, Canada, US and China. Brazil is one of the great fútbol (soccer) powers of the world with a leading five (5) World Cup titles. But they also play baseball in Brazil.

Yan Gomes today is a catcher for the Washington Nationals. Other Brazilian-born players that have played in the Major Leagues: Paulo Orlando, Luis Gohara, Thyago Vieira and Andre Rienzo. Brazil has also participated in the World Baseball Classic.

The HHBMHOF is dedicated to recognizing the contributions made to baseball by Hispanic players. Since its inception, the HHBMHOF has inducted (74) players, coaches, broadcasters, Negro leagues Hispanic players, MLB Scorers, and Pioneer Executives. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame, respects the heritage of all players. The museum is proud to have the great Ted Williams in its Hall of Fame. The new museum website http://www.hhbmhof.com.com Stay well and stay tuned.

Mr.Gabriel (Tito) Avila Jr. is the Founder and President of The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame and Amaury Pi-González is co-founder and Vice President. The traveling museum was founded in San Francisco and ex-Athletics and Giants players Orlando Cepeda and Tito #23 Fuentes were co-founders of the popular museum. Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s just ran into O’s Means that ended 13 game win streak

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Oakland A’s starter Jesus Luzardo pitched into the seventh inning on Sun Apr 25, 2021 against the Baltimore Orioles. Luzardo is seen here in an undated file photo. (file photo The Mercury News)

#1 Amaury the ride ended on Sunday, the A’s winning streak ended at 13 straight wins with a convincing loss to the Baltimore Orioles 8-1 but the ride was pretty incredible for Oakland.

#2 The A’s faced a tough competitor in Baltimore pitcher John Means and they just couldn’t figure him out. Means threw for 6 plus, giving up only two hits and a run against the Oakland line up.

#3 The A’s started the season with a slow start losing their first six games and A’s third baseman Matt Chapman is having a tough time getting around on the ball hitting only .159 and said it’s not how he wants to starts the season.

#4 A’s pitcher Sergio Romo replaced starter Jesus Luzardo in the seventh inning and pitched to one hitter the Orioles Tony Mancini who popped out and was lifted after facing Mancini. Romo who has a 12.79 ERA has struggled of late and A’s manager Bob Melvin said getting Romo out there gave him some confidence.

#5 Tuesday night tonight the A’s will start Frankie Montas (2-1 ERA 6.75) and for the Tampa Bay Rays Michael Wacha (1-1 ERA 4.35) the Rays always have been a tough competitor for Oakland set game two of this four game series for us up Amaury?

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Apr 27, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Headline Sports with Daniel Dullum: Super League is dead on arrival; Will Mad Bum ever get that first no hitter?

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner is surrounded by his teammates after throwing a seven inning no hitter against the Atlanta Braves on Sun Apr 25, 2021 (AP News photo)

On Headlines with Daniel:

1. Super League members backpedaling after public outrage from soccer fans, teams

2. MadBum throws 7-inning no-hitter, won’t get official credit for it

3. NFL rule changes, including expanded number choices by position

4. 49ers swing blockbuster deal with Miami for No. 3 overall pick while keeping their first-round pick for this year

5. Seattle dive bar sues NHL’s Kraken over naming rights

Daniel does Headline Sports each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum Tue Apr 27, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Tokyo Olympics 2021 Will Not Allow Demonstrations

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Tokyo Olympics 2021 Will Not Allow Demonstrations

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

2021 Tokyo logo (pininterest.com image)

IOC Rule 50 states that: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas. The Rule strives to ensure that the focus at the Olympic Games remains on athletes, performances, sport, unity and universality according to the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”

The 2021 Olympic Games was postponed last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, but will take place this year from July 23 to August 8. For good or bad the world of sports is contaminated with politics and the world’s largest sporting stage is setting the example that sports are sports and nations should compete in sports, not on an interchange or political ideas or any-type of propaganda that has nothing to do with what these athletes have prepared for years.

The decision, by the IOC to stay the course with Rule 50, was made after 10 months of surveying/consultation with 3500 plus athletes in 41 sports that represents 185 countries in Olympic competition. The results showed “A clear majority said that is not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, (about 70 percent of athletes), either at the field of play or at official ceremonies or on the podium.” もういや = no more. It makes sense; I think we are all suffering from demonstration fatigue by now.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball Laboratory Moving Back Pitcher’s Rubber

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The MLB pitchers mound will be moved back 12 inches and the rubber will be back 61’6″ (photo from Bob Schloss flickr.com)

Baseball Laboratory: Moving Back Pitcher’s Rubber

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced new experimental playing rules that will be in place during the 2021 Atlantic League Championship Season. These changes are an experiment that it could be adopted in the future by Major League Baseball.

The Atlantic League season is scheduled to begin May 28. Six-team circuit, after losing two teams to Minor League Baseball, but for MLB they are a laboratory this year, for “experiments” per instructions and agreement with the Atlantic League from the office of the Commissioner of baseball.

These are the two experiments according to the Atlantic League communiqué.

-PITCHING RUBBER MOVED BACK ONE FOOT (SECOND HALF OF SEASON ONLY)

Moving the pitching rubber back 12 inches to 61’6” will provide batters with more time to react to pitches. The expectation is that more reaction time will help batters make contact more frequently, putting more balls into play, and creating more action in the game. -The reaction time on a 93.3 mph fastball (average velocity in 2020) thrown from 61’6” is approximately equivalent to a 91.6 mph fastball (the average fastball velocity in 2010) thrown from 60’6”.

-As pitchers have gained velocity and used technology to improve the effectiveness of their pitches, the strikeout rate in Major League Baseball has increased for 15 consecutive years, from 16.4% of plate appearances in 2005 to an all-time Major League record 23.4% in 2020.

An analysis performed by MLB determined that a 12-inch increase would be the minimum interval needed to evaluate a change in mound distance. It is expected to be meaningful without being disruptive.

“DOUBLE-HOOK” DESIGNATED HITTER (FULL SEASON)

  • Once a team’s starting pitcher is replaced, the team will lose its Designated Hitter for the remainder of the game. The Club will be required to use a pinch hitter, or the relief pitcher will bat.

  • The “Double Hook” rule represents a potential compromise between the historical rules of the National League (which has not employed the Designated Hitter, except in 2020) and the American League (which has used the Designated Hitter since 1973).
  • Nearly 90% of pitching starts in the Major Leagues in 2020 lasted less than seven innings. By linking the DH to the starting pitcher, the rule aims to incentivize teams to leave their starting pitchers in longer, increase the value of starters who can work deeper into games and increase the strategic element in the late innings of a game.

The main objectives of these experimental changes are to shorten the length of the games. There was a laboratory in a land far far away from where MLB plays, that did an experiment and according to the majority of science experts in the world produced a problem that we are still dealing today in the US and all over the world, there was an error/mistake. I am always concerned about experiments.

Although I am not opposed to all changes, I hope baseball keeps their sanity and tries to maintain the game as it was intended to be played. Hope this is not a ‘slippery slope’, like maybe next would be to change the distance between the bases to 60 feet (like in softball) instead of the 90 feet it has been.

I just do not want a mistake to escape this baseball laboratory, and baseball is disrespected. This experiment to move the pitcher’s rubber back from 60 feet 6 inches to 61 feet 6 inches is important and personally I hope it strikes out, because when start changing distances in the structure of the game, we are playing with “fuego” fire.

Red Smith, famed sportswriter once wrote: “Ninety feet between bases is perhaps as close as man has ever come to perfection.”

Stay well and stay tuned.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen for all the Spanish play by play excitement of Oakland A’s baseball as the A’s look for their 11th consecutive win today against the Minnesota Twins. Catch all the action at 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: A’s and Twins will restart series with doubleheader today at Coliseum

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The Detroit Tigers Will Castro slides behind Oakland A’s catcher Sean Murphy during the sixth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Apr 18, 2021 the A’s won the ball game 3-2 (AP News photo)

#1 After the tough start the Oakland A’s had at 0-6 the A’s look like contenders now after winning eight straight games.

#2 The A’s got two shutouts during their four game series with the Detroit Tigers the first shutout came on Friday when the A’s shutout the Tigers 3-0 behind A’s starter Frankie Montas and three relievers

#3 On Saturday starter Cole Irvin pitched six innings, four hits and the bullpen shut the Tigers out for the rest of the game.

#4 How much will the postponed game from Monday break the A’s momentum from their eight game winning streak going into today’s doubleheader.

#5 The Minnesota Twins organization is concerned about what is happening in their community with civil unrest, racial injustice and their Covid-19 protocols as a result they’ve had a number of games postponed.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has all the play by play of Oakland A’s baseball on the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: A’s hitters producing; A’s Luzardo looking for first win tonight

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Oakland A’s starter Jesus Luzardo will get the call tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen both pitchers will be looking for their first win of the 2021 season at Chase Field in Phoenix on Tue Apr 13, 2021 (file photo from athleticsnation.com)

#1 The A’s picked up their fifth win in six games with a 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night at Chase Field in Phoenix to open a brief two game series.

#2 The A’s were already up 7-5 and they added two more runs in the ninth to cap off the win their getting some run production after that rough 0-6 start.

#3 The A’s Ramon Laureano, Mark Canha, Jed Lowrie, and Matt Chapman all scored two runs a piece against the Diamondbacks on Monday night.

#4 Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner was touched up for six earned runs and seven hits in 4.2 innings of work and ran his ERA up to 11.00.

#5 On Tuesday the A’s will start Jesus Luzardo (0-1 ERA 6.10) going against the Diamondbacks Zac Gallen (0-0 ERA 0.00) Luzardo is looking for that first win.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Apr 13, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: USA Could Boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022

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2022 Beijing Winter Olympics logo (photo from bleacherreport.com)

USA Could Boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday confirmed that it is weighing the possibility of a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics, to be held in Beijing, China. The push for a boycott stems from China’s alleged human rights abuses, and its treatment of the Uyghurs, an ethnic minority group that China has moved to “re-education” camps, which is a sanitized word for what many believe are slave labor camps and genocide against the Muslim minority in that country.

Chinese authorities are notorious for silencing of human rights defenders, journalists, and activists, and placing restrictions on their internet. They also are persecuting Christians and churches. It is difficult to obtain accurate information about Chinese government policies and their actions.

Last year, the country of China silenced scientists in their country that spoke about the mishandling of the covid-19 virus which it is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China. The communist government, who controls the media is very protective and rarely allows a different opinion than the official opinion of the Chinese government. In 2020 Chinese Tycoon Ren Zhiquiang vanished after criticizing the government for their handling and misinformation about the corona virus pandemic.

While the U.S. government does not appear close to a decision on a potential boycott of the 2022 games, the threat is sure to raise concerns within Comcast’s NBC Universal, which has the TV rights for the Olympics.

In 1980 the United States led a boycott of the Summer Olympic Games in Moscow to protest the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Then four years later in 1984 the Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles. 14 Eastern Bloc countries and allies, led by the Soviet Union, initiated the boycott for the games in 1984.

This boycott occurred during the Cold War, which ultimately was won by US/Free World. Once the Berlin Wall fell, freedom and democracy was adopted by The Soviet Union, now Russia. In 1991 the process of democratization began in Russia.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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 Sports and Commentary: 2021 All Star Game – Mile High City–

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View of Coors Field in Denver the site of the 2021 MLB All Star Game Tue July 13, 2021 after moving the game from Cobb County GA MLB says this is in protest of Georgia’s voter suppression law (file photo from mlb.com)

2021 All Star Game – Mile High City–

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Denver, Colorado was picked to replace Atlanta, Georgia for this year’s major league baseball mid-season classic on July 13. This because of a controversy from a new law in Georgia regarding voting ID. The Commissioner of Baseball Mr. Rob Manfred and the Colorado Rockies came to an agreement.

Coors Field is a spacious stadium in downtown Denver, just a couple of blocks from Union Station with capacity for 50,398. Opened on April 26, 1995. An open air stadium with sensational views and where the altitude makes the ball fly further.

Meanwhile the controversy continues as Georgia Governor Brian Kemp addressed the situation saying he is baffled by MLB decision. Moving the game from Georgia which under the new law requires ID to vote, the governor said about playing the All Star Game in Colorado a State that already requires ID to vote in elections. “So what I’m being told, they also have a photo ID requirement. So it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.”

Another unexpected event during this 2021 MLB season when the game is trying to return some kind of normalcy. The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce is not very happy. This was a big event they had planned in advance for a few years and was hoping to bring an influx of business to many small minority owned places in the Atlanta metropolitan area. I wonder if Atlanta has cancellation insurance for this event? Make your plans for Coors Field!

Stay well and stay tuned.

Join Amaury for That’s Amaury’s Sports and Commentary each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com