Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Texas Factor – A Near Full House at Arlington

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The Texas Rangers home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays drew 38,000 fans on Mon Apr 5, 2021. That was way over the recommended amount of fans other teams were allowing in. (AP News photo)

The Texas Factor – A Near Full House at Arlington 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

On Monday April 5, the Texas Rangers on their first ever regular season game at their new park Globe Life Field drew at least 38,000 fans. Although this might look as an “unusual” Opening Day during this pandemic, this was authorized by their local officials.

MLB teams do not determine how many people are allowed inside their stadiums, it’s all left to their State, County and City. Most owners detested the idea of empty stadium in 2020 and now in 2021 in some places (like Texas) things are opening-up as the cases of covid diminished in numbers.

The attendance was not a shocker to anybody; Texas was the first State in the Union to announce the removal of lock downs and the Texas Rangers the first MLB club to announce they will be allowing a capacity for their first game at home this season.

In Texas all reports point that coronavirus cases and death have collapsed since Governor Greg Abbott replaced their State’s mask mandate. As with everything these days all this has become political in nature as many Democratic politicians opposed Gov Abbott as they predicted Texas cases and death will rise as a result of the Governor’s decision, however that did not happened in Texas.

At the end of the story, it doesn’t matter what the politicians say, because the politicians do not buy the tickets, it is up to the people who have the last word to attend a baseball game and is only the people/fans that actually buy the tickets and attend to the games.

If the fans are “ok” with the park opening to a full capacity they have the freedom to attend and purchase their tickets regardless what anybody else says. And just because officials remove restrictions, you can still wear a mask in Texas if you wish. At the end it all boils down to personal decisions.

We are all individuals, not a herd of cattle. Carl Sandburg is a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, journalist, editor, biographer of Abraham Lincoln and he once wrote this about the State of Texas: “Texas is a blend of valor and swagger”. The final score, Blue Jays 6 Rangers 2. The Texas Rangers are in a rebuilding mode and this year there is not a lot of hope in Arlington.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury Sports and Commentary: Baseball All Star Decision — Tolerating Politics in Sports

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2021 All Star Game in Atlanta logo the game is being moved from Atlanta because MLB is opposed to the voter suppression law voted in by the State of Georgia (image from mlb.com)

Baseball All Star Decision — Tolerating Politics in Sports

That’s Amaury Sports and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball has taken action to remove the All Star Game this year in Atlanta, because a decision in that State Legislation about voting ID. Yet, if I leave a couple of complimentary tickets to a friend of mine at a baseball game, they must show and ID in order to get the free tickets. Coca Cola, with headquarters in Atlanta, supports the boycott by baseball and the move to play the ASG someplace else besides Atlanta.

Yet, Coca Cola (a giant in the beverage industry) sell their products in China, a country which today is still one of the world’s biggest human rights violators. Coca Cola is one of the most well-know international brands in China with 150 million servings in that country every single day.

As of 2019, it is well documented that China and the CCP is a top worst offender in civil rights in China. They have murdered, jailed, and detained millions of people who won’t agree with the government of China. A simple web search will confirm this. This fact doesn’t seem to bother Coca Cola or any other big American corporation doing business in/with that country.

How much politics can we tolerate in sports? Baseball just started a season with limited fans in the stands, still some players are getting covid-19, ‘right off the bat’ Thursday night’s Opening Day game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals has been postponed because some players were infected with covid-19.

Even as millions are vaccinating, there is still contamination and variants to deal with and we are postponing an All Star Game because of a legal political decision in one single State? Debating this is fine, but should not have sports in the mix, because baseball does better with Home Runs than Legislation.

MLB still has big contractual problems looming, after this season the CBA, (Collective Bargaining Agreement) will be “debated” by owners and union officials. That is where baseball should be debated, not in national politics. The 10th Amendment is left to individual States to make those decisions.

Baseball fans want to talk about baseball, watch baseball, attend games at their baseball parks in their cities; they do not want to talk about this stuff and be fed all this stuff. Atlanta should host the ASG; they worked for years to bring the Midsummer Classic to their great city.

And now the game is taken away from them? Hank Aaron passed on January 22, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was/is an African-American icon in American sports, a great American and in my opinion the “dignified” Home-run champion of Major League Baseball.

Aaron would have been honored in the city where he was buried, but that will not be possible. The relocation of the All Star Game will cost Georgia $100 million in tourism to that State and officials in Atlanta, Georgia said it would have been a big boost to their economy and would help with recovery after the pandemic.

The best alternative site for this July 13, 2021 ASG I heard was by the Mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett. He told MLB his city wants to host the classic at Milwaukee’s Miller Park. The Mayor said Milwaukee is the city where Hank Aaron began and ended his career, which is absolutely correct, with the Milwaukee Braves and retired with the Milwaukee Brewers. I obviously do not live in Georgia, but as a baseball person this stuff worries me. Like baseball doesn’t have enough problems?

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A One on One with Orlando Cepeda

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Former San Francisco Giant first baseman and Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda the subject of Amaury Pi Gonzalez’ interview on That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary (file photo mercurynews.com)

A One on One with Orlando Cepeda

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On the eve of the 2021 baseball season, I had the pleasure of speaking over the phone with the great Cha Cha, Orlando Cepeda, somebody I have not seen or spoken with in a few years. Through the years we have spoken numerous times.

During the 1990’s working Giants Spanish radio at Candlestick and later at ATT, SBC, PAC BELL Park. He used to come around and we would talk. On some occasions he sat with me during a radio broadcast and did some commentary. Orlando was one of the first Major League Players who endorsed The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame when it was founded in 1999 in San Francisco.

He is enshrined in that Hall of Fame as well as in The National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. He won the rookie of the year with the San Francisco Giants in 1958, the Most Valuable Player of the National League in 1967 with the St Louis Cardinals.

He was one of the most popular players ever to wear a San Francisco Giants uniform. The interview was conducted in Spanish, Orlando born in Ponce, Puerto Rico always prefer to speak Spanish when we talk. In our chat we talked about the day when the Giants retired his number 30 prior to a game in Candlestick Park against the St Louis Cardinals in 1999, a ceremony on the field with Giants announcer Lon Simmons, yours truly who was asked by the Giants to be the co-mc with Simmons, Jack Buck, radio voice of the St. Louis Cardinals and the owner of the Giants Peter Magowan.

We were all on the field between home plate and the mound, lined-up behind a podium. Towards the end of the ceremony a big Number 30 was unveiled in front of the fence in right-center field as the fans stood-up and cheered. I asked Orlando about that moment, responded right away.

Orlando: “Yes, of course I remember and I also remember that Mr. Magowan told me “now Orlando the next step for you is the Hall of Fame” and that helped me a lot. Soon I was in the Hall of Fame. He was a great owner…Magowan loved the game, very committed owner and that was a great honor for me that the Giants retired number “30”.

Orlando was in good spirits. We reminisced about some of the great points in his career. Like the people who saw him play in San Francisco and remember him playing with the Giants in 1958, his very first year in the majors. Is it true that in 1958 you were more popular than the great Willie Mays in San Francisco?

Orlando: ”Well, what happened is that I was a rookie; it was a new team for me. Willie came from New York, and I did very well that year, you know, people liked me in San Francisco. Willie is the greatest ballplayer ever, but good things happened to me that year, and when that happens and the people like you…also I had a good year…and that’s what happened”.

(That year he won the Rookie of the Year hitting .312 with 25 home runs and 96 runs batted-in) In 1967 Orlando was traded to the St Louis Cardinals from pitcher Ray Sadecki. Were you happy when that trade happened?

Orlando: “Well, I had problems with Herman Franks (Giants manager) and it was going to be me or McCovey who was going to be traded”

About his arrival in St Louis? Orlando responded

Orlando: “I had a great welcome there, the guys like Gibson, McCarver, and Brock they all welcome me and treated me very well”

At one the time in the interview, there was a moment when even before I asked the next question, he said something about five Puerto Ricans in the Hall of Fame. And that is true. Puerto Ricans like Roberto Clemente, Iván Rodríguez, and Roberto Alomar and soon to be Edgar Martínez who was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, moved to the island to live with his grandmother, he said: Orlando followed…

Orlando: “Yes, great…we have five Puerto Ricans now in the Hall of Fame, that’s great, I am very proud of that”.

How about your relation with your compatriot Roberto Clemente?

Orlando: “When I first played with the Giants, Roberto was already playing (since 1955) with the Pirates, Roberto helped me a lot, he was a great guy”

I asked him about what does he thinks about the recent changes in the game of baseball, many with the purpose of making the game faster

Orlando: “Well, a lot of people making these changes never played the game, they are not baseball people, they are computer and business people and all that, but not real baseball people”.

Orlando’s opinion is a common one for older players who had to do everything to win a game, including bunting, hit and run and other stuff that today is well…cancelled in baseball? Orlando was getting a little tired, and he said:

Orlando: “I am speaking too fast, too much”

He seemed to be a little short of breath, so we paused. Then… after a few seconds. We spoke about Opening Day in baseball this April 1.

Orlando: “I am hoping to be at the Giants first game at home April 9”

He said as we said goodbye mutually wished each other well and told me he send his best wishes to everybody. A couple of years ago Orlando had a cardiac incident and spent some time in the hospital. However he made a public appearance in January 2018 to celebrate the 80th birthday of Willie McCovey at AT&T Park.

Gracious, passionate and always ready to talk baseball, it was fun to talk for about 15 minutes, not more, but he seemed alert and with very good memory of some of the events we spoke about in his very stellar career. Other stuff we touch bases, like, he doesn’t agree much with some of the changes in the game today, although he did say at the end of his career the DH rule helped him, he played in 1973 (next to his last year) with the Boston Red Sox, as he said “I was one of the first designated hitters”.

1973 was the first year for the DH rule, Orlando seems to be fine with that, but not with some of the recent changes in the game as previous stated.

Muchas gracias al gran Orlando Cepeda por su cortesía de concederme esta entrevista por la vía telefónica, sigues siendo el mismo Cha Cha, que Dios te Bendiga. Translation “Thanks to the great Orlando Cepeda for his courtesy granting me this interview over the phone, your still the same Cha Cha, may God Bless You.

Stay well and stay tuned

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president and Orlando Cepeda is a founder 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 News and Commentary: Hispanic Baseball Museum Wall at the Coliseum— Latest Information

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Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame frame on the wall at the Oakland Coliseum (photo by Mauricio Segura )

By Amaury Pi-González

On the picture the The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum wall at the Oakland Coliseum’s for the past three seasons. Local Bay Area artist Mauricio Segura was the designer. 2020 was an off-year for The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.

The museum will not be at this year’s All Star Game scheduled to be at Atlanta’s Trust Park on Tuesday July 13th. But will take part in the 2022 All Star Game to be held at Dodger Stadium, July 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, (in the LA Convention Center in the heart of LA) which was re-scheduled from last year’s that was to take place at Dodger Stadium, but could not, because the covid-Pandemic.

No inductions to the museum Hall of Fame took place last year. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame was established on October 24, 1998 as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to recognize the contributions of Hispanic players in baseball.

Mr. Tito Avila Jr is the creator and founder of the museum. This museum will ensure the history and profound influence that Hispanic players have made. The museum has exhibited in over fifteen major league cities and has inducted 74 players to date into their Hall of Fame.

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame have participated in the Oakland Athletics Fan Fest as well as well as the Giants, throughout the years, however because of the pandemic we were not able to join the players and see their fans up and close as they celebrate the arrival of another baseball season.

We have exhibited in All Star Games, as well Fan Fest with our very popular traveling wall of history which depicts the very first Hispanics to play in organized baseball in the United States, in chronological order. We have displayed at many public libraries across the country, as well as numerous community events.

At the Oakland Coliseum fans enjoyed a large portion of the wall to the right at the Club Level entrance, from 2018 to 2020 thousands of fans have enjoyed, stopped and taken pictures and read the history. Wholesome role models are rare in today’s society.

Our youth desperately seek hope and direction, this museum offers a unique opportunity to provide inspiration while creating a great legacy with vision towards our future. Mr. Dave Kaval, President of the Athletics and Dave Rinetti, VP of Stadium Operations were instrumental in the three years the HHBMHOF mural was at the Oakland Coliseum.

With around 30 percent of Hispanic players in Major League Baseball and between 45 to 50 million Hispanics in the country, the largest minority, it is impossible to ignore. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum has big plans and continues to be committed to preserving the history and profound influence that Hispanic players have had on “America’s Favorite Past Time” At the time of its foundation the museum was recognized by then Commissioner of Baseball Mr.Bud Selig.

Soon for all to enjoy the new museum website will be out with all the information about players, events, how to become a member, how to send a contribution, a suggestion, a question or even if you want to donate baseball memorabilia to the museum. http://www.hhbmhof.com

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 News and Commentary podcast: You gotta feel bad for US soccer goalie; Curry back in Warriors line up, plus more

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In a classy move Team Honduras player Luis Palma consoles Team USA goalie David Ochoa after scoring the winning goal for the win on Sun Mar 28, 2021 at the Olympic soccer semi finals (USA Today still shot photo)

#1 The US men’s soccer team failed to qualify on Sunday in the 2021 Olympic semifinals against Honduras. All players on both teams were under 23 to qualify. The US goalkeeper David Ochoa stopped a shot that ricocheted back to Honduras shooter Luis Palma that he booted for the winning goal to eliminate Team USA 2-1.

#2 The Golden State Warriors whose struggles mainly started when they lost star player Stephen Curry to a tailbone injury against the Houston Rockets. The Warriors have now lost four straight. Curry was back in the line up Monday night giving the Warriors some hope.

#3 The Oakland A’s open their regular season Thu Apr 1st against the Houston Astros at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s will start Chris Bassitt who was 2-0 in spring training 1.74 he started in three games for the A’s in the Cactus League.

#4 San Francisco Giant pitcher Kevin Gausman gets the call to start against the Seattle Mariners on opening day this Thursday. Gausman 0-1 with an ERA 5.63 is expected to do some big things for the Giants as one of their top starters.

#5 Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto gets the call to start the home opener on Fri Apr 9th at Oracle Park against the Colorado Rockies. Cueto was 0-0 with a 9.82 ERA in spring training can Johnny Baseball return to his old form the days when he starred with the Kansas City Royals.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Mon Mar 29, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: The Matts and their bats; Olson and Chapman ready for season

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Matt Chapman (26) and Matt Olson (right) forearm bash in this Mar 5, 2021 photo as the two are expected to be big boppers for the Oakland A’s this season (AP News photo)

#1 Oakland A’s said that he hopes that since there is good news on the Howard Terminal ball park that there a good chance for long term contracts

#2 For spring Chapman is hitting .161, four runs, five hits, two home runs, and two RBIs and is looking forward to playing some good defense at third for Oakland this spring.

#3 A’s first baseman Matt Olson looks like he’s been hitting everything in sight hitting .342 eight runs, five homers and 14 RBIs you can pretty much look forward to Olson hitting in the clean up spot.

#4 The A’s will allow a minimum amount of 8,000 fans into the ball park per game for 2021with seats spread apart the A’s will be making sure that protocols coming into the park are followed will it be safe for the fans?

#5 The Oakland A’s moved nine players to their minor league camp, RHP Domingo Acevedo, RHP Argenis Angulo, RHP Matt Blackham, RHP Ben Bracewell, C Tyler Soderstrom, 1B Frank Schwindel, SS Nick Allen, OF Buddy Reed. Of who were moved do you see possibly making the opening day roster.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Wed Mar 24, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: José Mota and the LA Angels Making History

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Los Angeles Angels Spanish broadcaster Jose Mota (left) and author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) in the Angels TV booth at Angels Stadium (file photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

José Mota and the LA Angels Making History

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

José Mota longtime baseball sportscaster with the LA Angels is the first Latino and former major league player to broadcast for a major league team full-time English language. Starting this season José Mota and Marc Gubicza will alternate as Analyst with veteran Matt Vasgersian and Darren Sutton who will handle the play by play on the LA Angels television network.

With the departure of longtime Angels play by play man Victor Rojas, who took a new job as General Manager of the Texas Rangers Double-A affiliate starting 2021, the Angels hired Matt Vasgersian, well known baseball man from national television, born in Oakland and raised in Moraga, while Daron Sutton returns to the Angels organization in 2021 as a television play-by-play broadcaster.

He previously called Angels games on the radio during the 2000-01. In essence the Angels have revamped their television talent and now have a two-broadcast team. José Mota has worked for the Angels for two decades.

Until 2020 he was handling all the pre and post game shows on Angels television. José is one of three brothers, all sons of former great LA Dodgers Manny Mota. For seven seasons José handled analysis as I did the play by play for the LA Angels Fox Sports Network Spanish telecast.

In 2007 we both worked for the Angels radio station in Spanish KLAA 830AM(now their English flagship station), a 50,000 watts powerhouse, during all 162-regular season games, home and away traveling with the team.

During the 1990’s José played for the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals. Personally, José is as knowledgeable as anybody I have worked with. Straight forward, honest very intelligent and verse in the game of baseball, raised from the LA Dodgers dugout by his father Manuel (Manny) Mota.

A truly great move by the LA Angels, a classy organization, who treats their people with respect and much professionalism. Congratulations to all of them, but especially to my good friend José Mota. Felicidades José.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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: Rangers announce capacity for opening day; What are the risks?

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Opening day in Texas as the Texas Rangers line up on the foul lines at Globe Life Field in Arlington TX on July 24, 2020. The Rangers expect a full house for Opening Day Apr 5, 2021 but mask wearing enforced. (AP News file photo)

Texas Rangers Announce Capacity for Opening Day

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Texas Rangers are the first team to announce that Globe Life Field will be open for the full capacity when they play their first game of the 2021 season at home against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 5.

Although every seat will be available for 40,518 fans, fans will be required to wear masks. Also, they will be required to maintain social distancing while they enter and exit the stadium as well as standing in line at concession stands.

This includes their two final exhibition games as well. For this Opening Day in Texas the team announced that they are going to sell tickets in “pods”.

Therefore, the Texas Rangers are the first professional team to open to a full capacity since the beginning of the Covid-10 pandemic. The front office also announced they are working with Major League Baseball on other protocols regarding player health and their safety.

With populations of approximately 30 million, Texas is the second most populous State in the country behind California.

The Oakland Athletics announce they are planning for a limited capacity at 20 percent to start of their season opener April 1 at the Oakland Coliseum vs. the Houston Astros, while the San Francisco Giants will soon announce their plans for fans allowed. The San Francisco Giants open season on the road and their home opener will take place on April 9 vs. the Colorado Rockies.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Cleveland isolates two players over Covid protocols; How Griffin fits in Brooklyn; plus more

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Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez (pictured) and outfielder Framil Reyes have both been isolated by Cleveland after it was reported that they were out dinning with Chicago Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop after a Cactus League game (AP News photo)

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

#1 It’s the third time in a year that Cleveland has to isolate players due to Coronavirus protocols. This time third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielder Franmil Reyes were both placed in isolation after telling the team they both went out for dinner.

#2 It was reported that this was the second time Reyes had broke Covid-19 protocol rules, Reyes and Ramirez had gone out to dinner with Chicago Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop and medical staff told Cleveland manager Terry Francona that they were this to the league.

#3 Former Los Angeles Clipper Blake Griffin has joined the Brooklyn Nets. Griffin joined the Detroit Pistons after leaving the Clippers and signed with the Nets after he completed a buyout agreement with Detroit giving him the opportunity to sign with any team.

#4 Matt Chapman and Matt Olson were using virtual hitting simulating hitting against Cleveland pitcher Adam Plutko. The simulation had a program showing Plutko and his pitches. As A’s reliever Jake Diekman said after watching the simulation 30 minutes later “whack”

#5 A’s second baseman Jed Lowrie who is coming back from knee surgery is expected to be in the line up today. A’s manager Bob Melvin has been watching Lowrie and Lowrie ran bases on Sunday.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Mar 9, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Experience of Broadcasting during a Pandemic

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September 9, 2020 at the Oakland A’s Spanish Radio Booth prior to the game. Smoke from fires over the Coliseum (Photo by Amaury Pi-González)

The Experience of Broadcasting during a Pandemic

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Here are the memories that were created last season while broadcasting in a pandemic. Many folks have asked what was the experience like, so here it is. During an abbreviated 60-game schedule last year, broadcasters did not travel and most called the games from their home parks.

Some had the luck of having equipment installed by their respective teams at their homes. This set-up allowed them the best commute of all, maybe a total of 20-50 steps to their “home park.” Getting to the Oakland Coliseum to do the games for the Athletics on Spanish radio was nothing new.

I drove like I always do when doing a home game. In the past during certain games when the Giants, Yankees, Red Sox and teams that usually sell-out, create an unusual amount of traffic, I would give my driving a rest and take BART, round-trip to broadcast the game. Because no fans were allowed, the commute coming and going was very “light”.

Arriving at the Coliseum about three hours prior to first pitch (like I always do) the whole parking lot was deserted. About 10,000 empty parking spaces and no tailgate parties. There is nothing like arriving at the Coliseum when everyone has their “tailgate cooker” in full progress.

The smells of smoked meat are just phenomenal. The team and MLB modified the way media entered the Coliseum. There were the standard ten questions or so regarding Covid, taking you temp, and then the normal checking of media work bags and the metal detection gates.

As the season progressed, the thing was the Covid-test would be later and of course during this time, the vaccines were in development…and don’t forget to mask up. Taking the elevator to the broadcast level of the Oakland Coliseum, the protocol was not to allow more than two people at the same time.

The operator was wearing a mask, there was a receptacle with hand sanitizer, (inside the elevator), for everyone to use. The Coliseum and the Oakland A’s did an excellent job. There we many places where big bottles of hand sanitizer were available.

As I got to the broadcast level and the door opened, it was an eerie feeling. The whole place was quieter that most hospitals. The broadcast level usually seats other radio reporters and media writers local and visiting. None of that was allowed.

The only people were us, doing the actual Oakland Athletics broadcasts, radio and television, English and Spanish, engineers, a producer or two and that was it. One or two A’s media staff. Maybe 12 people occupying this whole level, which during a well covered game, could seat dozens.

Also a very small crew on the Coliseum scoreboard, PA announcer and technical people area. This is a busy place during the operations of a regular baseball game in normal times. All the announcers had plenty of separation. Most announcers had their own booth. With the exception of the “cardboard fans”, it was 56,000 empty seats per game.

That is a weird experience. It is something I could never get used to. There was no access to the field to see batting practice or going inside dressing room for interviews. This was all conducted via Zoom at a specific time assigned by the A’s media department.

Technology controlled everything. Once the home plate umpire call of Play Ball! I could hear him (and I mean hear him) like he was next to me, in an empty park you can hear stuff you never heard before. Our production used a crowd noise track during all the games, to recreate the sound of fans.

The PA announcer would call the name of each player coming to the plate, like during regular times; the music will play pre-game and during some parts of the games, and very loud. And the game was the game.

MLB has scheduled to open the season on April 1st.The A’s will open at home against the Astros and then the Dodgers. Most teams are expected to allow fans, maybe 25 percent of capacity and the hope is by the All-Star break (mid July) maybe things will be close to normal times. But for broadcasters, the season will begin just like 2020, no traveling, separation, same safety measures, mask and so on, with the good news of some fans in the stands.

That is progress. I have re-created games that were played thousands of miles away of where I was calling the game, including a couple of Caribbean World Series for FOX sports in English. Those games were called from FOX studios in the LA area while the games were taking place in México and Venezuela.

There was no pandemic or national emergency then, but the ‘powers to be’ producers, chose to do those types of productions because they were more cost effective, and in our business you do what is necessary to survive.

Any major league announcers should be able to re-create the game no matter what the conditions or situations are. If they complain, then they should be sent back to the minors. None of my experiences can compare to the 2020 Season. 2020 is one for the records books. 2020 was like broadcasting in the Twilight Zone.

Stay well and stay tuned.

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