That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s Blackburn says he’s a loss for words on All Star selection; Met’s Alonso says he’s the best hitter on the planet for home run derby; plus more

Oakland A’s starter Paul Blackburn is jubilant in this Apr 27, 2022 game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Blackburn who started in this 1-0 shutout had five relievers follow him to keep the shutout going. Blackburn will be the A’s lone representative for the mid summer classic this year at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue Jul 19, 2022. (mercurynews.com file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Oakland A’s lone representative pitcher Paul Blackburn is honored to be representing the A’s for the 2022 All Star Game in Los Angeles on July 19th. Blackburn said that he was a loss for words upon learning last Sunday he would get the honor.

#2 Blackburn 28 was 6-2 and currently is 6-4 has pitched in a number of games where he’s gone seven innings or more but in some of his loses he didn’t get much run support and got the loss.

#3 Amaury, Blackburn mentioned that he’s really looking forward to seeing and talking with Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani and other American League players. For Blackburn it’s an experience he soon won’t forget.

#4 The home run derby is one of the most anticipated events at the All Star Game and all attention most likely will be on the New York Mets Pete Alonso who won two home run derbies and winning the $1 million prize each time.

#5 Alonso didn’t hold back after winning in the 2021 All Star Game’s home run derby in Denver last season saying that he’s the best power hitter on the planet.

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

All Star Game report: Dodger Stadium employees call for strike ahead of All Star Game in LA

Fans stand in line at a concession stand where they sell Dodger Dogs hot dogs before an exhibition baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, March 28, 2014. (AP file Photo/Danny Moloshok)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Los Angeles Dodgers stadium employees have voted for a strike ahead of the 2022 All Star Game in Los Angeles. Employees of Levy Restaurants as many as 1500 employees could walk out starting with the Futures Game slated for this Sat Jul 16th.

Local Union 11 Unite Here said that 99% of the employees voted to strike, “Stadium workers are proud of the role they play to bring fans the best game experience possible,” said Susan Minato, Co-President of Unite Here Local 11. “They are the backbone of our tourism and sports industry, yet many struggle to stay housed and to make ends meet.”

Dodger stadium associate pay is as low as $15 an hour and as high as $17 an hour. Dodger Stadium employees say they want a fair wage and the union has tried to negotiate with Levy Restaurant who is a subsidy of Compass Group who are a mega food service providing services to not only Dodgers Stadium but the Rose Bowl which hosts USC and the Rose Bowl games.

Details of how much of a wage increase and benefits have not been disclosed by Levy Restaurants or Local 11. In Northern California San Francisco Giants Bon Appetit employees settled as they had voted to strike in 2021. At one point Giants contractor Bon Appetit workers were offered just a 25 cents raise and threatened a strike to get their pay up from as low as $17 to $20. Local 2 president Anand Singh said at the time “Bon Appetit and the Giants’ approach to workers and fans’ safety during this latest surge of COVID-19 is completely inadequate and dangerously irresponsible,”

A walkout by Dodger Stadium food service workers would leave fans in a standstill and without food services, no ushers, engineers, maintenance and security. Workers at So Fi Stadium the home of the Los Angeles Rams got a new contract with increased wages, benefits, and health insurance and Dodger Stadium employees are asking for the same rights. Keep in mind though the Rams play ten home games a year versus the Dodgers who play 81 home games a season.

Jerry Feitelberg covers MLB for http://www.sportsradioservice.com