That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 30 Years Since the World Series, Loma Prieta Earthquake

Photo credit: foundsf.org

By Amaury Pi-González

It has been 30 years later after that unforgettable October 17, 1989, Loma Prieta earthquake that stopped the Oakland A’s vs. San Francisco Giants World Series. Then-MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent decided on the classic postpone for 11 days. The A’s won two games prior to the earthquake and two more after in sweeping the Giants to win their fourth World Series in Oakland and ninth in total since they started playing in Philadelphia over 100 years ago.

That day was an unforgettable day as Evelio Areas Mendoza and yours truly were ending our pregame show on radio, when just minutes past 5 p.m., the earth shook Candlestick Park. Many people at the press box ran to the elevators, and many were trapped there because all electricity was lost. I remember fist images that I was able to see was that of KPIX CH 5 then-anchor Ana Chávez and the shot of the Bay Bridge, where cans fell into the bay. At that time, the whole world stopped, and we realized that when “mother nature” speaks, the World Series seems insignificant.

We became news reporters and witnesses. Manolo Alvarez, who was covering the game for WQBA AM in Miami came over and asked me how many more earthquakes were coming next. He is from Miami, where they are famous for hurricanes and not earthquakes, and had no idea. I explained to him that usually the after shocks are lesser in intensity. It was a 6.0, a very strong quake and we were lucky in the Bay Area as casualties were not as high as anticipated minutes after it happened.

It was a night to remember for all of us at that game were all of a sudden witnesses and interviewed. I remembered the experience for a few outlets in Mexico and Latin America. For me, that was one of the most hectic moments in my life and the most powerful earthquake I have ever felt to date.

Just a few days ago, we felt another shaker — this one, 5.4, almost 30 years to that October 30, 1989 shaker.

Amaury Pi-González is the pioneer in establishing Spanish baseball play by play in the Bay Area. With 40 years experience in radio and television in the Bay Area with the A’s, Giants, Warriors games as well as in Los Angeles with the Angels and Clippers for Fox TV play by play. Inducted into three Hall of Fame, BARHOF (Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame), The Cuban Sports Hall of Fame(Miami), and The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.

A blast from the past:Telemundo ch 48 once televised A’s games in Spanish

[category Oakland Athletics]

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

OAKLAND–As we approach the 24th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake, this Thursday the 17th, which stopped the World Series for eleven days, we must remember what was going on in 1989 and during those years.

Just after the Oakland Athletics defeated the San Francisco Giants in that 1989 World Series, with two victories prior to the earthquake and two victories after the earthquake, KSTS CH 48 Telemundo would begin a schedule of weekend games live in Spanish of the four time World Champion Oakland A’s.

Then, General Manager, Joe Cruz, built a brand new set, colors Green and Gold, and authorized an expense of a few thousand dollars to build such a nice set. Yours truly was the Sports Director and Anchor those early years at Telemundo. The play by play of the games then were done from those studios, live, with a green screen in the background calling A’s games.

In this I Phone-Twitter-I Pad-Smart Phone and whatever else world we are living today, it is good to remember the many things that were done on radio and television. Like an old friend in the business tells me: “everything already has been done, at least once, although some people think they are re-discovering the world”.

Just one of my many memories in the business, which I thought was appropriate to remember during this week, when we celebrate 24 years since the earthquake that stopped the World Series for eleven days.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for Oakland A’s baseball and does News and Commentary each week for Sportstalk

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

OAKLAND–As we approach the 24th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake, this Thursday the 17th, which stopped the World Series for eleven days, we must remember what was going on in 1989 and during those years.

Just after the Oakland Athletics defeated the San Francisco Giants in that 1989 World Series, with two victories prior to the earthquake and two victories after the earthquake, KSTS CH 48 Telemundo would begin a schedule of weekend games live in Spanish of the four time World Champion Oakland A’s.

Then, General Manager, Joe Cruz, built a brand new set, colors Green and Gold, and authorized an expense of a few thousand dollars to build such a nice set. Yours truly was the Sports Director and Anchor those early years at Telemundo. The play by play of the games then were done from those studios, live, with a green screen in the background calling A’s games.

In this I Phone-Twitter-I Pad-Smart Phone and whatever else world we are living today, it is good to remember the many things that were done on radio and television. Like an old friend in the business tells me: “everything already has been done, at least once, although some people think they are re-discovering the world”.

Just one of my many memories in the business, which I thought was appropriate to remember during this week, when we celebrate 24 years since the earthquake that stopped the World Series for eleven days.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for Oakland A’s baseball and does News and Commentary each week for Sportstalk

A’s, Tigers down to the wire in Oakland

By George Devine, Sr.

The A’s and Tigers have both undertaken the return trip to Oakland for the final and decisive game of the ALDS, after the series was tied by Detroit’s 8-6 win over the Athletics at Comerica Field on Tuesday. The fifth game will begin at 5:07 p.m. PDT, simultaneous with an event at neighboring Oracle Arena and a few hours before a BART strike deadline, as rush-hour traffic clogs the Nimitz Freeway alongside the venue. In other words, for A’s personnel and fans, it will be home, sweet home, and that may be just what Oakland needs to win.

Due to Thursday night’s concert at Oracle Arena, A’s fans who purchased tickets to Game 5 of the American League Division Series at O.co Coliseum are strongly encouraged to arrive early or take public transportation to the ballpark.
All lots are expected to fill very early as various parking spaces will be reserved for the concert at Oracle Arena. Parking will be $25 for cars until lots are full or 6 p.m., space permitting, when it will change to the concert price of $35. Direct parking will be in effect to maximize the use of available parking spaces.

Parking will open Thursday at noon. Stadium gates will be open at 3 p.m.

1989 World Series Most Valuable Player Dave Stewart will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Thursday before the deciding game. Stewart was 21-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 36 starts with the A’s during their championship season in 1989 and was named an AL All-Star. It was the third of four consecutive seasons in which he won 20 games or more. He was 2-0 with a shutout and 1.69 ERA in two starts against the Giants in the 1989 World Series. In his career, Stewart was 168-129 with a 3.95 ERA in 16 Major League seasons with the Dodgers, Rangers, Phillies, A’s and Blue Jays. A native of Oakland, Calif., he finished in the top five in the AL Cy Young voting four times (1987-90), led the league in complete games and innings pitched twice (1988, 1990) and wins once (1987).

But the larger question is: who will be the starting pitchers for the Tigers and Athletics? In the visitors’ case, the decision was made early on: Justin Verlander, who pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, and won last year’s Game 5. His being chosen seemed a foregone conclusion once fellow starter Max Scherzer appeared in relief for two innings, earning the win in Tuesday’s Game 4. For the Athletics, two choices were considered: Bartolo Colon and Sonny Gray, until it was announced late Wednesday that Gray would be the starter.

Gray, who has come upon the Tigers as an unknown quantity, posted a 5-3 record and 2.67 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) during the regular season, pitched eight shutout innings in Game 2 last Saturday. He received a no-decision in Oakland’s 1-0 win over the Tigers, striking out nine batters, walking two and allowing only four hits.
The 24-year-old Nashville, Tenn. native was selected by the Athletics in the first round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University.