Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sign-Stealing Scandal–Politician calling for Congressional Oversight Hearing

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congress.gov photo: Illinois Rep Bobby Rush is calling for an official congressional investigation into the sign stealing scandal involving MLB general managers, managers, players and front office staffs
Sign-Stealing Scandal:  Politician calling for Congressional Oversight Hearing
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
Amaury Pi-González
Representative Bobby Rush from the State of Illinois wants an official Congressional Oversight hearing on the current scandal. He had said so in a letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which is in charge (among other things) of oversight of major league sports. So now the government might get involved as major league baseball is going to an unprecedented crisis.
Last time Washington D.C. got involved in a baseball scandal was 2005. The Mitchell Report – (steroids era) some players had to testify in public open hearings among those were Mark McGwire,Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro. During that scandal Barry Bonds and Bret Boone were Implicated, while others like José Canseco and Ken Caminiti admitted their use of steroids.
As the Office of the Commissioner of baseball continues this wide investigation others aside from Representative Bobby Rush are also voicing their opinions. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote in a resolution urging MLB to recall the World Series trophies awarded to the Astros in 2017 and Red Sox in 2018 and award them to the Dodgers instead.  Pitcher CC.Sabathia, who announced his retirement last season,said that the Yankees got cheated by the Astros and Manfred should take their away their title.
Looks like Dusty Baker is getting interviewed this Monday by the Houston Astros for their open managerial position. Good luck to a good genuine baseball man.
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum will be participating again at the Oakland Athletics Fanfest this next Saturday the 25th from 9:30AM to 3:00PM at Jack London Square. Admittance if Free. All are welcome to visit our new bilingual website https://www.hhbmhof.com/
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice of the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sign Stealing Scandal–Carlos Beltrán steps down as Mets manager

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nytimes.com file photo: Carlos Beltran being introduced as the New York Mets manager will not manage one ball game for the Mets as he stepped down today as Mets manager over the Sign Stealing scandal

Sign-Stealing Scandal: Carlos Beltrán Steps Out as Mets Manager

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball continues reeling from the current sign-stealing scandal. Truly unprecedented. Seriously jeopardizing his possible induction into the Hall of Fame after a brilliant 20 years major league career, Carlos Beltrás who was named manager of the New York Mets on November 1,2019, will not manage with the Mets this season.

Beltrán is 42 years old born in Manatí,Puerto Rico. After what has been happening, especially with the Houston Astros,Carlos Beltrán today decided to step down as manager of the New York Mets. This is makes the Mets management who picked Beltrán look very bad,overall nobody is looking good at this time in the game. Beltrán will not manage a single game in Spring Training which is just over two weeks away.

Beltrán played for 20 seasons in major league baseball compiling Hall of Fame worthy numbers, 2,586 games, hit .270 with 435 home runs and 1,587 runs batted in. Began his career in 1998 and ended in 2018, he played for: Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees,Texas Rangers and Houston Astros (again) during the 2017 season when the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

Jessica Mendoza,ESPN Baseball Analyst and who also works for the NY Mets blasted Mike Fiers,now pitching with the A’s, and ex-Astros for blowing the whistle on this current scandal.

Personally, I cannot blame a pitcher for blowing the whistle on hitters stealing signs. This goes to the essence of the game of baseball, where the pitchers objective is to get the hitter out. Hitters today have the definite advantage,with all the videos and stuff on film and social media,now.

There will always be the gamesmanship in some situations like when a runner at second base can relay a signal to the hitter, and that will always belong in the game, but methodically establishing a system to steal signs should never be allowed.

Follow us with this very fluid story, in my lifetime (including the steroids era) this is the worst scandal.

See you in Arizona, in Spring Training. But I am afraid this story is still in the top of the 7th.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish play by play talent at the Oakland A’s on 1010 KIQI La Grande and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Pats and Brady to decide future; Can Vikings surprise 49ers Sunday? plus more

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usatoday.com file photo: Tom Brady might have played his last game in New England however Robert Kraft team owner is knocking at Brady’s door

On the podcast with Amaury:

#1 The New England Patriots have lots of questions in their off season about Tom Brady’s future where does head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots go from here?

#2 The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are coming off a huge win New Orleans one thing for sure the 49ers can’t be too over confident going into this game.

#3 Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones is not one to keep coaches long although his last one Jason Garrett survived nine seasons and finished this season at 8-8 as the Cowboys failed to make post season. Garrett will be replaced by former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

#4 It was mentioned that congress might take away baseball’s exemption status if MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred goes ahead and reduces 42 minor league teams. Will this give Manfred something to think about before pulling the trigger on the 42 minor league teams.

#5 He’s called the Cuban Ohtani- Oscar Luis Colas who defected from Cuba is headed for The Show. Colas is a left handed pitcher, an outfielder and a first baseman.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the radio play by play talent for the Oakland A’s and can be heard on KIQI 1010 San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB’s Coming Attractions? 3-Batter Minimum Rule

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Photo credit: usatoday.com

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball (MLB) is trying to reduce the number of pitching changes and cut down the average time on each game. Beginning next season that requires pitchers to either face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses.

Currently, Rule 5.10(f) states that the starting pitcher must pitch to one batter until that batter is put out or reaches base. Rule 5.10(g) states that any reliever must pitch to one batter until that batter is put out or reaches base, or the offensive team is put out, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses.

The 2020 change will likely cause a decline in the number of specialists, the kind that poses the situation where you bring one pitcher to face one hitter like lefty vs. lefty for a one out match-up.

Basically, the argument persist that baseball games are too long,and most people do not sit down to watch and listen to the whole game.

Question: If you go to a movie that you have not seen, and you know this movie is over three hours, would you go and see it? The one beauty about a game of baseball is that you know when it is scheduled to start, but you do not know when it is going to end.

The way I see it a Hollywood film editor takes more and more scenes from the movie to the point that it takes away from the original story. Nowadays, there are many ways you can see what happened in a game by highlights of all the action in just a few minutes, and unlike decades past, you do not have to wait to come home to see the 11 o’clock news sports segment, but in the palm of your hand with your phone.

There are other issues on the table. Before the All Star Game this July in Cleveland, Astros pitcher Justin Verlander said that the ball baseball is using is a “joke”. Also, during the final day of the Winter Meetings in San Diego, a study concluded that a variance of stitching and lack of drag in the baseball contributed this past season to another historic surge in home runs. So Verlander is correct as we do not need another attorney to translate.

In the words of an old Chinese curse, “we live in interesting times”. Yes, this also applies to baseball.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB Plans to Eliminate 42 Minor League Teams

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Photo credit: sbnation.com

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

During the Winter Meetings in San Diego last week, Major League Baseball (MLB) proposed eliminating 42 minor league teams. That is approximately 25 percent of all the minor league teams in the country. This is planned to happen after next year.

One minor league owner already said: “It’s never going to happen”.

What this signals is just the beginning of a very rough period for baseball. The Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) covers the working arrangement between Major League Baseball and Minor League teams and will expire after the 2020 season.

The fight has already reached the political arena, where Bernie Sanders, a Democratic Party candidate running for President out of Vermont, strongly opposed the idea. By the way, the Oakland Athletics have a minor league team in Vermont in the Vermont Lake Monsters of Class-A. But you do not need to be a politician to understand how such a reduction of teams will do nothing but hurt the game of baseball, not to mention the cities where they play, the economy of those cities (less revenues and less people hired to work in the stadiums), the reputation (identities) of those cities that would lose a minor league team. The minor leagues serve a purpose to provide opportunities for player development and a way to prepare for the major leagues.The minor league system in is as old as MLB dating back to 1901

According to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, several key issues are at the heart of debate, including potential increases in player compensation as well as the need for facility upgrades, team relocation and the feasibility of a Dream League, which would replace affiliated baseball in the cities that stand to lose their team under the version of the plan known to the public.

All listed below.
– Facilities
– Player Welfare
– Team Travel
– Hotels
– Clubhouse Conditions
– Player Salaries
– Subsidies
– Dream League
– Public Financing
– Relocation
– League Realignment

Here are the A’s minor league franchises: Las Vegas Aviators, Midland Rockhounds, Stockton Ports, Beloit Snappers, Vermont Lake Monsters and AZL Athletics.

Here are the Giants’ minor league franchises: Sacramento River Cats, Richmond Flying Squirrels, San José Giants, Augusta Green Jackets, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and AZL Giants.

Moreover, it is unclear which 42 teams MLB has proposed to eliminate.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: MLB rule changes irk Reds’ Bauer; Former Giant Vogt biggest reason why Bumgarner a D-Back; plus more

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Photo credit: letsgotribe.com

On Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred is applying a new rule change that pitchers must face at least three batters before being relieved the very unpopular wiping out of 42 minor league teams, which has not gone over well with the players.

#2 At some point, these changes will not go over well with the players and they will tell Manfred “enough is enough” at the bargaining table when the Collective Bargaining Agreement is up.

#3 Madison Bumgarner’s departure from San Francisco came when Bumgarner realized that he won’t get a deal from San Francisco that would match the Arizona Diamondbacks’ five-year, $85 million offer.

#4 Former Giant catcher Stephen Vogt, who spoke with his current team’s brass at the Diamondbacks, said that if they can get Bumgarner it would be well worth it. Vogt is one of the biggest reasons why Bumgarner came to Arizona.

#5 The Oakland A’s have put out a full page ad in the printed versions of Bay Area local papers. The A’s are pushing the “Rooted in Oakland” brand and trying to secure a fanbase that had worries the team could leave if they don’t get a new stadium at Howard Terminal in Oakland. The A’s are trying assure everyone they are committed. But fans know that the environmental impact report, parking and public transit issues are at play still.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Thanks for the Memories (A Poem for the Raiders)

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photo from sfgate.com: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams is mobbed by fans after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019.

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND — Sunday, December 15,2019. A date which will live in infamy for Oakland Raiders fans. Raiders lost their last ever game at the Oakland Coliseum 20-16 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Legendary comedian Bob Hope theme song for decades on radio and television shows and many trips to USO war zones from WWII. to Korea, Vietnam to some of the recent middle-eastern wars was titled “Thanks for the Memory”. It is easy to apply the same melody, but with these lyrics that I have composed solely for the occasion. For those of you that might not know the song, I suggest you listen to it first.

Thanks for the memories of hot dogs and tailgates, Cliff Branch, and the Raiderettes, we went from Oakland to LA, but we never forgot you yet. We thank you so much. Thanks for the memories of three great Super Bowls, two in Oakland and one down the road, we thank you so much. Gone are the Black and Silver at Oakland, pregame barbecue, beer, ribs and some dessert, now it is all in the desert so there they go no more film at 10 all. We thank you so much. Thanks for the memories of 1981, New Orleans and the Bowl, Raymond Chester and Jim Plunkett, we truly loved it all. We thank you so much. Gone is 880 and BART, and now they play in Vegas with Darts. Maybe the faithful will fly, an hour-and-a-half to just say “Hi.” We Thank you so much. Thank you for the memories, we finally said goodbye to Mount Davis and alike, we thank you so much.

Composer: Yours Truly.

Adios, Au Revoir, Sayonara, Auf Wiedersehen, Zay Gezunt, Goodbye Raiders.

Good riddance!

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice of Oakland A’s baseball and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: AstroGate – Sign-Stealing in Baseball?

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Photo credit: foxnews.com

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball is investigating the Houston Astros for stealing signs during the 2018 and 2019 seasons and dating back to 2017 when the Astros won the World Series. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said last month MLB will be interviewing a lot of people,during the investigation.

Manfred said: “We are talking to people all over the industry,former employees,competitors, whatever.”

This looks like an old episode of the famous TV detective Columbo.

Before they bring baseball attorneys and experts on the matter and it becomes a huge scandal, we should all be aware that stealing signs in baseball has been part of baseball since most people can remember — before most of us where born. In a way, this investigation is laughable because this is absolutely nothing new. In the history of baseball, it is part of the fabric of the game. However, the game has changed so much that I have to admit they are much fewer stolen bases by players today, that stolen signs.

Actually, it brings me to the point of being in favor of stealing signs because that means that you are much more baseball-savvy that your opponent. Especially nowadays with all the replays and technology available and when the camera sees much more than the umpires. With all the technology today that we apply to the game it should be truly refreshing that players and coaches can steal a sign or two to help their team. How much impact can stealing signs have on a game, that is another matter, and for that, brings the baseball attorneys.

Here is a personal anecdote. In the mid 1980’s, I was broadcasting an A’s game from a tent-installed directly behind the backstop and home plate at field level at the Oakland Coliseum. The station was KNTA 1430 AM San José. We were going to be removed from that location because opposing teams believe that was a good location for the home team to steal signs. Some of the players that used to stand next to us,during the games like A’s pitcher José Rijo posed a potential for the “crime”.

There is no rule in baseball today that prohibit sign stealing.

Yes, there is “No Crying in Baseball”, but there is sign stealing.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Minority participation in 2020 MLB season?

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Photo credit: theringer.com

By Amaury Pi-González

According to the LA Times, a recently published article about the last MLB season in 2019 said: “For the first time since 1946, the season before Robinson debuted and altered the course of American history, an African American did not appear in a game for the Dodgers for an entire campaign.”

An irony for the franchise that headed by a courageous Branch Rickey, who signed Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier..

The fact today is that just like with the regular population of the United States, where Latinos are now the largest minority and not African-American, the same has happened in the most historic sport in this country, baseball. The Census will be taken in 2020, and before that Census, Hispanics/Latinos are 18 percent of the population with around 60 million people, while African-Americans are 12 percent of the population with approximately 42 million people.

Baseball is also headed in the same direction as the total populations of the country. In baseball, Hispanics/Latinos make up about 30% of all players, while African-Americans are just around 8%. The MLB has been trying with the RBI program and many others to attract young African-Americans to the game of baseball, but as of today with little success. The other two major professional leagues, the NBA and the NFL are miles ahead of the MLB when it comes to African-American players. I do not want to speculate what is the reason, but there are many. Some point to baseball as a slow game, while other sports generate more instant gratification. Baseball requires patience, and in a time like this with social media, anybody–at any given time–can access anything in five seconds.

Facebook and You Tube have carried live MLB games. The fluid world of social media looks like the #1 vehicle to deliver baseball to the masses, especially of the younger generation. There is no secret that baseball audiences are typically older that most other sports according to data released by media-polling organizations. It is said that the average age of a baseball viewer is 57 (this has been increasing year by year), and if you wonder about some kind of a youth movement, only 7% of the baseball audience is under age 18.

These baseball demographic statistics will likely not change much. In Latin America, where some baseball countries play ball 12 months of the year, and most MLB clubs scout those countries. In some of those baseball countries, baseball is still king and there is no competition by basketball, and of course, American football as neither sport is not really played by kids. Soccer still the most popular sport in Latin America. However, in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panamá, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, soccer is not as popular as baseball. In México and Colombia, baseball is popular, but soccer is still número uno, but those two countries continue to develop a lot of baseball talent, and have a presence in the Major Leagues.

This could be getting much more interesting as MLB is proposing to eliminate many minor league teams. MLB says the reorganization is in order to make the minor leagues more efficient (i.e.conditions where they play, dated facilities, etc.). Common sense tells us less teams is not going to help the development of younger players aspiring to make it to the show. Unlike the NBA and NFL, who get most of their talent from drafts, the minor leagues are the gateway to Major League Baseball.

Major and Minor League Baseball’s current Professional Baseball Agreement is set to expire after the 2020 season. One thing for sure is that more Latino talent will continue to arrive and the trend will continue.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Are Atlanta and Minneapolis the Best Cities for Bumgarner?

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Photo credit: talkingchop.com

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Madison Bumgarner has won three World Series and is arguably one (if not the best) postseason pitcher in history. The Giants made a $17.8 million qualifying offer to the free agent, which guaranteed a draft pick compensation for the Giants, a team seriously in need of younger players. It is very doubtful the Giants will win the World Series in 2020. There are two young teams looking for that extra puzzle piece to make it over the hump. Two teams that won their divisions but fell way-short of going deep into the postseason. Two teams that could use a guy like him.

Atlanta Braves
The Braves won the East in the National League with a 97-65 record, four games over the World Champion Washington Nationals, but lost the Divisional Series vs. St. Louis Cardinals in five games. They have a great young ball club with a terrific starting rotation of, Mike Soroka, whose just 22 years old and finished 13-4, 2.68 ERA. He is currently their best hurler. Max Fried, who finished 17-6, 4.02 ERA. Mike Foltynewicz and a very good bullpen. Not to mention one of the best lineups around in Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr.and Ozzie Albies. Bumgarner would be like gold for this young team, which he would bring experience. The location is excellent for Bumgarner, who lives nearby in his home state of North Carolina. Plus he would stay in the National League. I would say Atlanta is the best place for him.

Minnesota Twins
The Twins won the American League Central Division with 101-61 record but were swept by the Yankees 3-0 in the Divisional Series. Like Atlanta, they are another young team in need of an experienced starter like the Giants lefty, but unlike the Braves, they are not as deep in pitching. Therefore, the Twins could go hard after Bumgarner. But there is one disadvantage as Bumgarner has only pitched in the National League with the Giants. He is one of the best hitting pitchers in the game and was even used as a pinch-hitter by Bruce Bochy. He loves to hit. The youngest and most talented starter with the Twins is the 25-year-old José Berrios, who finished 14-8, 3.68 ERA this season. The Twins are probably in the conversation for the Giants pitcher.

There are other potential teams looking for pitching,the Los Angeles Angels are one of those. He would definitely fit very well in Joe Maddon’s new team. The Angels are going to go heavy on free agents, especially Gerrit Cole, who was born in Newport Beach, about 45 minutes from Angel Stadium. He seems a perfect fit for the Halos. The San Diego Padres is another young up-and-coming team who plays in the same division as the Giants. They should be looking at him, too, and do not forget the American League Champion Houston Astros. Their rotation — especially if Cole leaves — will be a solid one with this acquisition.

Either Atlanta or Minnesota could offer Bumgarner, who is 30 years old, a two-year deal worth in the $40 million range. I do not see a problem with that. More than two years is a risk because he is still a good pitcher but not as dominant as he once was. Let’s face it, nobody knows which Bumgarner they would get. Although there is a chance of scenery for him, leaving a team that is not close to returning to the Fall Classic, like Atlanta or Minnesota, who are much closer, is something that he likely is considering at this stage in his career. He is the type of competitor that with a winning team, he would perform much better and he would be motivated to take his team to the postseason, which is something he cannot do with today’s Giants.

Bumgarner is in a good situation. If he decided to stay put with the Giants, that would have been a surprise to many. Although 60 wins is tied in total wins at home when Matt Cain was with the Giants. Pitching at Oracle Park, which is not a hitting paradise, is an advantage if he decides to stay in San Francisco and fans will love it, and if he retired with the Orange and Black, that would be even better, but fans do not have much of a say on his future. In my opinion, the only San Francisco Giant that will never leave the team (of the original players that were part of the even year World Series era) is Buster Posey. He was the Rookie of the Year in the NL with the Giants in 2010 and he will retire as a Giant.

Where will Bumgarner be pitching next season? At the end of the day, it is about the money. What else is new?