Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A Star is Born in 2023 and it is Esteury Ruiz

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Oakland A’s Esteury Ruiz heads home after hitting a two run homer off the Detroit Tigers on Sep 23, 2023 at the Oakland Coliseum. Ruiz led the American League with 67 stolen bases in the 2023 season. (AP News photo)

A Star is Born in 2023 and it is  Esteury Ruíz

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The Oakland A’s rookie, Esteury Ruíz stole a rookie record 67 bases this past season, born in Azua, a town of over 120,000 people west of the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, 100 kilometers – 62 miles away.

Numerous players were born in Azua, including the Miami Marlins Sandy Alcántara who in 2022 unanimously won the Cy Young Award in the National League. The 24-year-old rookie was tutored by Major League Baseball Rickey Henderson, the undisputed stolen base king of all time.

The stolen base record for a rookie established by Ruíz this past season is the new major league record. The record of 66 was previously held by Kenny Lofton, in 1992 with the Cleveland Indians (that was the name of that team, today the Cleveland Guardians).

Esteury Ruíz established the new MLB record for a rookie in stolen bases during his 132nd game of the season. It was in Anaheim, with two games left in the 2023 season, a sunny Sunday when in the third inning the Dominican kid broke the Lofton record, stealing his 67 base of the season.

The rookie will never forget this 2023 season “nunca se me olvidará este año” trans- “I will never forget this year”. Yet, he knows he needs to exhibit more patience at the plate, as he only walked 20 times in 449 plate appearances.

It is unfair to compare this kid with Rickey Henderson, because one season doesn’t makes a career. However, not a power hitter, Ruíz has many other good tools, like his defensive play in center field, just one season after the A’s had another young kid playing that position, Christian Pache, now playing with the best team in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies, probably on his way to the World Series.

Esteury Ruíz, who mostly hits in the lead-off position or last in the lineup is a good kid, enjoys the game, works hard and loves, I mean loves, to run the bases. He also knows there is only one Rickey, Because there is nobody like Rickey: In 1982 Rickey Henderson stole 130 bases, the current one-season record, then also became the first and only three time over 100 stolen bases per-year-player in history, in 1980-82-83, ending with 1,406 stolen bases, also the current record in history.

2023 a good year to steal? Yes. The bases are slightly larger, the pitchers are limited in how often they can throw over to first base, Second base is where the majority of the bases are stolen, it is “donde está la acción” trans- “where the action is”.

This 2023 season stolen bases were at an all time high 81% success rate. And Ruíz did his part, Felicidades Esteury!. Quote: I was stealing all the bases, and when you had to go to arbitration they say, “You know, only the big boys make the money “So I got to try and figure out how to hit a Home-run too”. -Rickey Henderson.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podast: Sharks broadcast on Spanish TV on Los Tiburones Night

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The Colorado Avalanche center Fredrik Oloffsson (22) tries to outskate the San Jose Sharks right winger Givani Smith (54) in second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Oct 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Los Tiburones Night will have a very Hispanic flavor. Sponsored by Milagro Tequila, everybody in attendance received a Luchador Goalie Mask on Los Tiburones Night presented by Milagro Tequila.

#2 The colorful mask was designed by local artist Luis Guardado. This Hispanic Night included a pregame music and the Star-Spangled Banner being performed by Mariachi Tequila de San José a local mariachi band. 

#3 On the concourse, arts and crafts with the Mexican Heritage Plaza and a specially designed mural backdrop located at the Hop Valley Bar above the South Entrance for fan photo opportunities.

#4 To the game the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks the game you called in Spanish was a close one that went into a overtime shootout, the Aves won and the Sharks gained a point, you only get to do one Sharks TV Spanish broadcast, how was the broadcast?

#5 Sharks are looking to get that first win on home ice after losing on opening night to the Vegas Golden Knights and coming up empty handed on Saturday against the Avalanche. They host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at SAP Center.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Orioles backs on the wall down 0-2 in ALDS; One bad game won’t make or break LA’s Kershaw; plus more news

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The Texas Rangers Josh Jung (right) scores in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (left) in the top of the second inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore in game 2 of the ALDS on Sun Oct 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Baltimore Orioles find themselves in fix down 0-2 in their ALDS series with the Texas Rangers. The O’s lost to the Rangers in game 1 by a run 3-2 and then game 2 lots of runs scored but lost by four 11-8 and now they head to Texas for games 3 and 4. The Orioles had a good regular season but they seem to be hitting a wall about now.

#2 For the Los Angeles Dodgers in game 1 of the NLDS who would have thought that starter Clayton Kershaw would have got lit up the way he did in the top of the first inning by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw gave up six runs in the first inning, he got his first out after giving up five runs, and didn’t get out of the first inning before being lifted. It’s getting tougher for the Dodgers losing on Monday 4-2 down 0-2 but these are the Dodgers they could come back and maybe even this thing up.

#3 Corbin Carroll has been that big spark plug in the Diamondbacks line up and he gave them some punch in game one against the Dodgers. Carroll went two for five, scored two runs, had two hits and two RBIs and one of the runs scored he hit a home run.

#4 The Boston Red Sox fired their pitching coach Dave Bush and third base coach Carlos Febles on Monday. Bush had been pitching coach since 2020. The firing came after the Sox had posted a 4.52 ERA which was 21st in the Majors. The Sox finishing third place in the four of the last three years didn’t help matters any for Bush. Febles who is also an infield instructor was fired after the Sox posted last place above average in outs.

#5 According to Redfin projections 5,000 people moved out of Los Angeles to Las Vegas after the summer. The number dropped from August when 6800 people left the Southland to come move to Las Vegas. According to the report Las Vegas is the top city people are moving to from the Southland. Las Vegas is second city in the country where people are moving to behind Sacramento.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2023 The Worst Year for the A’s in Oakland

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Oakland A’s pitcher JP Sears delivers against the Los Angeles Angeles in the first inning at the Big A in Anaheim on Sun Oct 1, 2023. Sears and the A’s went through the worst season in Oakland history. (AP News photo)

2023 The Worst Year for the A’s in Oakland

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The bad season for the A’s combined with the news this year the team is moving to Las Vegas, makes it the worst year ever in Oakland A’s baseball history.

The 2023 Oakland A’s season ended in Anaheim, on October 1, with their 112 loss of the season. They ended with 50-112. At the bottom of the American League and Major League Baseball in the win and lost column, as in most statistical departments, obviously including attendance. The 112 games lost is ten more than 2022 when they lost 102 games. In 1979 Oakland lost 108 games, so there have been other bad years for the ball club since they moved from Kansas City to Oakland in1968.

However, in 55 years of playing in Oakland, this is the first year that the team is planning to leave the city of Oakland, build a new stadium in Las Vegas which they hope to inaugurate on opening day 2028. The combination of bad performance on the field and the eventual departure of this franchise without a doubt makes it the worst year.

Some take solace that they won 50 games, but that is not what history will remember this team for, because when you end with 50 wins during a 162 game season, everybody knows what happened.

Bright spots: Young position players like Zack Gelof, Ryan Noda, Brent Rooker, Esteury Ruíz, Jordan Díaz, Shea Langeliers, have shown they are major league talent. Their pitching is also very young, and the club will need some stability forming a rotation, they have some very good arms.

Lefty J.P Sears started 32 games for the team, he was their most consistent pitcher. Sears ended with a record of 5-14 and 4.54 earned run average, hardy a positive record, but what more could he do with a team that lost 112 games? Pitchers are many times the benefactors of the teams they pitched for, but also their numbers suffer when they pitch for a bad team. It is part of baseball.

Zack Greinke ended the season with a record of 2-15 and 5.06 ERA for the last place Kansas City Royals in the central division. The Royals ended with a 56-106 record, and Greinke a potential Hall of Fame pitcher, could not escape the poor performance of his team. A pitcher with over 200 wins (granted at the end of his career) was not helped at all by his team performance. Zack Greinke said before the season, this was his last year.

What the A’s need? They have to find a way to build a decent rotation, guys like JP Sears who gets the ball every fifth day, has that unique consistence is badly needed on a young club like the A’s.. People should know that this 2023 team have some great young arms, the ones I think are the best: Kyle Mueller, Luis Medina, Mason Miller,Joey Estes and Joe Boyle, they all need more seasoning, but they have the tools. In years past when the A’s were “rebuilding”, a most favorite term, they also signed a veteran pitcher than can get outs, guys like a Jon Lester, Bartolo Colón.

They do not have to take a loan to sign pitchers like that, but guys that will help a very young pitching staff and they bring a lot to the table, with their experience, and in Colón’s case I remember one A’s pitcher telling me, “this guy is great to have because he has been around and he still throws strikes and he is mentor to the kids that are trying to become good pitchers”.

What will happen? Nobody knows. There will be changes, some players will not be back, others will be traded, maybe some new faces will be signed and that could bring another dimension to the 2024 Oakland Athletics.

I am not going to write here about the move to Las Vegas, because everybody have their own opinion, it has become a very emotional issue, in some cases incendiary. It is a salad of owners, construction companies, labor unions, school teachers unions, politicians, lawyers and one Commissioner, what they call a “mix salad”.

So, I like to end with this quote.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” Helen Keller

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame at Fiesta Gigantes

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From left to right:  Gabriel(Tito)Avila Jr. President, Amaury Pi-González Vice President, Joe Angel Broadcaster, Erwin Higueros, Broadcaster, Camilo Dovial, Giants pitcher at the Award ceremony at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Oct 1, 2023

Photo credit: Mauricio Segura, HHBMHOF

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame at Fiesta Gigantes

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–Fiesta Gigantes this season took place at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, on the penultimate game of the regular season before the Giants hosted the LA Dodgers on September 30. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum presented (on the field) before the game their awards.

Hall of Fame plaque to ex-Giants play-by-play announcer Joe Angel, the only Colombian-born to become an English broadcaster in the major leagues for the Giants, as well as other teams during his career. Erwin Higueros, current Spanish play-by-play for the Giants, and Camilo Doval, from the Dominican Republic, who won the José Uribe Award.

Doval lead the National League in game saves this 2023 season with 39. The Giants won the game with a final score of 2-1.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Kapler!~ -Kai Correa named SF interim manager; Giants dismiss Kapler as manager with three games left in the season

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The San Francisco Giants named Kai Correa as interim manager after firing Gabe Kapler on Thu Sep 29, 2023 (file photo USA Today)

Adiós Kapler!~ -Giants dismiss manager with three games left in the season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–Gabe Kapler was never that popular when the Giants first signed him in 2020 and today became the first Giants manager to be fired since in September of 1995 when Jim Davenport was fired and replaced by Roger Craig.

In 2021 the Giants overachieved and won 107 games, and Gabe Kapler won the NL Manager of the Year. After two years as skipper of the Philadelphia Phillies, 2023 was the fourth season for Kapler.

Soon after noon on September 29, the San Francisco Giants released this statement: “He has been dedicated and passionate in his efforts to improve the on-field performance of the San Francisco Giants and I have tremendous respect for him as a colleague and friend” said team president Farhan Zaidi. Kapler’s first season with San Francisco was the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign”

Names already rumored to be possible candidates for Giants manager in 2024, Menlo Park native and three-time Manager of the Year Bob Melvin, ending his first season as manager of the San Diego Padres, also Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay. But it is “too early” to tell.

Meanwhile, Giants veteran shortstop and three-time World Champion Brandon Crawford 36, said he likes to retire as a Giant, but he still contemplating his future and was not ready to commit to anything just yet. Crawford made the statement just a few days ago, on September 21. About the speculation if he is going to play his last game as a Giant and retire this next Sunday when the team closes the season against the LA Dodgers, he said: “I don’t have an answer, but there’s been plenty of thoughts”.

San Francisco closes the season at home this weekend with a three-game series against the Western Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Brooks Robinson, the Greatest Third baseman has passed away at 86

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Brooks Robinson the Baltimore Orioles third baseman snares a line drive hit by the Cincinnati Reds Johnny Bench in the top of the sixth inning on Oct 13, 1970 at Memorial Stadium during the World Series in Baltimore (AP file photo)

Brooks Robinson, the Greatest Third baseman

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As a kid in Cuba when my father took me to the Cuban Professional Winter League in Havana, around the late 1950s I remember a skinny slick fielding third baseman that played for the Elefantes de Cienfuegos, (Cienfuegos Elephants), with the green and gray uniforms, his name was Brooks Robinson, they won the Cuban Winter League title in the 1959-60 season.

He was since that moment together with Cuban-born Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso my two favorite players. Miñoso played for the rivals Tigres de Marianao, Marianao Tigres and with the Chicago White Sox in the major leagues. I had the privilege of meeting Miñoso not in Cuba (although I saw him play in Cuba, like I just wrote) but here in the Major Leagues as a player and later as a Front Office employee of the Chicago White Sox, as I interviewed him in many occasions including in 2005 when he sat with me in Chicago during a game as I was broadcasting for the LA Angels Spanish radio, he did commentary for most of the game. Both Minnie and Brooks played at a very young age in that Cuban professional league. Both became established stars in the major leagues.

Today, September 26, 2023 the news broke. Brooks Robinson has died at the age of 86. There was no better defensive third baseman, He was selected to 18 All Star Games and won a total of 16 Gold Gloves, the most of any position player, only one player won more Gold Gloves in history, pitcher Greg Maddux,18.

In 1983 third baseman Brooks Robinson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. His nickname “The Vacuum cleaner” was given to him by Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson after his legendary performance for the Orioles in the 1970 World Series. “I’ve never seen anything like what he did to us in that series, He killed us”. In 1970 Brooks won the MVP in the World Series.

He played his entire 23 year career with the Baltimore Orioles. Hit for an average of .267, 2,896 games, 2,848 hits, 1,357 runs batted in, 1964 American League MVP, 1970 World Series MVP and 2-time World Series Champion.

The Human Vacuum Cleaner” or “Mr. Hoover” because of his defensive prowess. But mostly known as “Mr. Oriole.”

Why do they call third base “the hot corner”? Because right handed hitters pull balls down the third base line with with lots of heat.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Acuna 5th player to join 40-40 club; Marlins Alcantara suffering from forearm tightness; plus more news

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Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. watches his solo home run in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park in Cumberland, Cobb County, GA on Tue Sep 19, 2023. Acuna Jr becomes the fifth MLB player to join the 40-40 club on Fri Sep 22, 2023. (AP News photo)

#1 Amaury, the Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna became the fifth player in MLB history to become a 40-40 player, Aucna joined the club after hitting his 40th home run of the year against the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

#2 In triple A baseball the Miami Marlins Sandy Alcantara who is on a rehab assignment suffered forearm tightness on Thursday night the Marlins announced on Friday night. Alcantara who won two Cy Young Awards struck out four hitters in four innings is headed back to Miami and will be evaluated by team doctors. Alcantara has not pitched since Sep 6th.

#3 MLB announced they will be selecting 12 of the top clock operators for the post season as the time clock rule will be in place for the post season. The league upon selection will use the same time clock operator for that specific series. The rule remain the same with the exception of the ghost runner in extra innings which will not be used.

#4 Amaury, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton finds Chicago Cubs manager David Ross’ comment that the Pirates “are not a very good team” comment unfortunate. The Cubs are the third team in the NL Wild Card and the Pirates are two games behind them. Will Ross’ comments fire up the Bucs and make it an interesting run for the Wild Card in this last week of the season?

#5 The Oakland A’s conclude their final homestand of the 2023 season on Sun Sep 24th against the Detroit Tigers. The A’s have a lease with the Oakland Coliseum through the 2024 season is there any chance that the A’s could break the lease and choose to play somewhere else maybe Las Vegas Ballpark for next season or will they honor the lease and play here in 2024?

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: O’s and Rays headed for post season; ex-Phils manager Manuel improving after stroke; plus more news

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Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Charlie Manuel looks on prior to the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Aug. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Phillies announced Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, that former manager Manuel has suffered a stroke. Manuel was undergoing a medical procedure in Florida when he was afflicted, the team revealed. Sun, Sep 17, 2023 doctors said 12 hours after the procedure Manuel was showing signs of improvement (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays both teams who have great seasons clinched for the AL playoffs after the Texas Rangers lost to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.

#2 Good news after the scary experience that ex-Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel 78, had a stroke while going through a medical procedure in Florida. Doctors were able to remove a blood clot from the 79 year old manager Sunday and reported that Manuel has shown improvement. While Manuel was manager for the Phillies he won five NL East titles between 2007-2011. Manuel was fired by the Phillies in 2013 after a 53-67 start of that season.

#3 Cuban born designated hitter and outfielder Jorge Soler of the Miami Marlins hit a home run upon his return from the 10 day IL. Soler had been placed in the IL due to a right oblique strain. Soler said he was feeling discomfort taking swings on Sep 5th but feels alright now going 2-3 with a home run on Sunday.

#4 Pitcher Corey Kluber will not pitch again for the rest of the season for the Boston Red Sox due to right shoulder inflammation. Kluber announced that he has ended his minor league rehab assignment and will not make his third rehab assignment at Triple A Worcester last Saturday. Kluber is a two time Cy Young Award winner.

#5 The New York Mets threw a huge bash for Bartolo Colin at Citi Park in Queens on Sunday. The Mets celebrated Colin’s home run he hit on May 7, 2006. It was Colin’s first home run off the San Diego Padres James Shields and Colin became the oldest player at age 42 years and 349 days to hit a home run. Colin pitched in the big leagues for 21 years. Colin also was a former pitcher for the Oakland A’s and made a big splash with fans and teammates during that time as well.

Amaury PI Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsadioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Taking a look at the steps MLB will take to move A’s out of Oakland

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Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman is part of a three man MLB committee that will recommend relocating the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas. The committee will send their recommendation onto MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred after doing the first step of the study. (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, MLB announced that there will be a relocation vote in mid November. There are several steps to the process beginning with a three man executive committee which consists of Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio, who is chairing the committee, Philadelphia Phillies CEO John Middleton and Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman. 

#2 The second step of the process is the recommendation gets passed along to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred who will look over the relocation application and no doubt put his stamp approval on it.

#3 After Manfred is finished with his approval it moves onto a eight man committee who will look it over for the renderings, the blue prints, how the move will benefit MLB, the topic of moving to the smallest MLB market will no doubt be part MLB considerations.

#4 Once the eight man committee has completed their study they will pass it onto the 30 MLB owners for the mid November vote which requires 75% approval to relocate the A’s from Oakland to Las Vegas.

#5 You have to wonder if Oakland was going to get an expansion team out of this then why move out of Oakland in the first place. Also revisiting Howard Terminal could be tougher than it was the first time with John Fisher and the A’s.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com