My dad was born 100 years ago today and we’re going to have a party! Lived the Depression, served in England in WW2. A life spent in education as coach and administrator. Husband, father, grandfather. The finest man I know. A century’s memories-more to come. All our love!
Just wanted to pass along thanks to the great fans of
@Athletics
for making the last game in Oakland so memorable. It was emotional and difficult for sure, but there was beauty in the sadness. The sense of community has always been apparent, and never more so than on a day when
From the
@Athletics
and our broadcast team, thanks for the support this year. Despite some challenges, I’m so pleased we did the games. Your messages and comments were heartening and often emotional and inspiring. Suffice to say-we heard you even though you weren’t there. Be well
It wasn’t lost on me that Ray Fosse passed close to the day we lost Bill 16 years ago today. “Fosse Day!” Bill said when Ray joined us on
@Athletics
radio. Former catchers! The “Fosse Scream” call in ’12 embodied what he meant to all of us. He loved the game and he loved the A’s.
I’m sure most of you are aware of what Ray has meant to us with the A’s. No disputing his iconic status, but you should know how hard he’s worked. He never rested on his laurels as a former player and that resolve will serve him well in this battle. Already miss him in the booth.
Nearing the break, taking a second to thank our
@Athletics
Radio listeners for your great support and tuning in. It’s not something I take for granted—even after all these years. In the tradition and romance of baseball on the radio—we’ve all been family for a long time!
A collective thank you for the birthday wishes today. Hard to believe year number 25 with
@Athletics
will begin in just over 3 weeks. Never would have made it without the incredible support of A’s fans. It means the world to all of us on A’s radio.
As
@Athletics
time in Oakland neared the end,
@CotroneoVince
and I were thrilled taking an audio trip down memory lane with voices like Monte, Lon, Bill and Ray. So many others made their mark, including those who set the table for our broadcasts, like the godfather of pregame
Thanks to everyone for the responses to the
@Athletics
Bill King night last evening on the radio. The guests and highlights brought back tons of memories and it was a joy for all of us to be part of it. Again, a big thanks to all of you who listened and for your comments.
View from the visiting radio booth. Yankee Stadium. Wild Card game later today. 5:08 Pacific first pitch on 95.7 The Game and
@Athletics
Radio Network.
What a gift to grow up listening to Dick Enberg. The voice, enthusiasm, dedication, preparation. His best advice-give the audience a reason to care. He elevated every game he called, but never made the games about himself. He will live on in his profound influence. Oh My.
A big thanks for the well wishes after missing the game yesterday. And, thank goodness for seatbelts. Plus, at end of the reg. season at home, on behalf of all of us at
@Athletics
, thanks for all the support. We don’t take it for granted and we couldn’t do our jobs without it.
Besides their contributions on the field for
@Athletics
—which were many—off the field two guys who were always cooperative, insightful, accountable and professional in every way. Pure class. Congrats!!
Saddened by the passing of Hank Greenwald. I considered Hank a father figure. I sought his advice, his wisdom and his humor. He was a wonderful man and a great friend to so many-no one more so than Bill King. And another thing: if it was a bad game, you wanted Hank on the mic.
Roy was almost a mystical figure. His voice a big part of the Coliseum’s vibe. Think of the colorful characters. Bill King. Gave the place texture. Every day I think of a name and of Roy. Daaaaaaave Henderson, centerfield. I loved Roy. Tried to impersonate him. But only one Roy.
Roy Steele, the Voice of God, died today at his home in Auburn, just four days after his good friend Chester Farrow, the A’s longtime scoreboard operator. Someone is assembling a great press level in heaven.
A’s announce the Piscotty trade and hard to think of one they’ve made that resonates on so many fronts. They get a really good player and he’s coming home at such a meaningful time for his family. Great to see the Cards and A’s working so well together on this.
Congrats to all and those of us with
@Athletics
are thrilled with Bill King’s election. Bill never worked for recognition or celebrity. But if just one aspiring broadcaster is inspired by his brilliance, passion and integrity-then honors like this are all the more meaningful.
Congrats to 2021
@NSMA
Hall of Fame class:
Jim Nantz
Dick Stockton
Bill King
Rick Telander
William C. Rhoden
Larry Merchant
William Nack.
'20 Awards feature youngest-ever national winner, 108 state sportscasters & sportswriters of the year.
Full release
We’re thrilled for
@JDoskow
. A fantastic addition to our
@Athletics
broadcast team. To say he’s paid his dues is an understatement and this is so well deserved. First spring game four weeks from today.
Chester stopped by our booth before every game. Always with a smile and usually with a bag of candy. We’ll never forget him, especially around 15 minutes before first pitch.
We mourn the passing of Chester Farrow. Chet worked as the A’s scoreboard operator for more than 50 years and was the life of the control room. He will be missed by his colleagues and friends. We send our deepest condolences to his family.
These shirts will be on sale at our weekend book signings until they’re gone. All proceeds will go to the A’s Community Fund and then on to Crisis Support Services of Alameda County. Thanks to
@Athletics
for facilitating. Apologies that all sizes may not be available.
“And now the sun’s coming up...” on another A’s broadcast season. A’s-Padres today with Vince, Ray and me at noon Pacific/11:30 pregame on 95.7 The Game and A’s Radio Network.
Many things come to mind thinking of Brandon Moss and his time with the A's. 19th inning homer vs. the Angels in 2013. Two homers in the 2014 Wild Card game. But, more than anything, the enthusiasm and how much he loved to play. Nice to have him back in green and gold.
Thrilled and honored that The Last Dive Bar made this happen. It was their idea and most importantly, the first thing they mentioned was the charitable component. We have a chance to make a difference, especially for those so seriously affected by COVID.
You can't look at the evening skies above the Coliseum & not think “The Lights Have Taken Full Effect” every time. A line made famous by
@KenKorachRadio
of the A’s Radio Network. We are proud to bring this collection to The Dive Bar!
See the lights here:
Ed’s kindness was off the charts. When I was hired by the Sox I didn’t know anyone, didn’t know where the press boxes, clubhouses, were. He was my guide. Introduced me to everyone. We’re mourning Ed’s passing today but the impact of his huge and generous heart will last forever.
We mourn the death of Ed Farmer who passed away Wednesday night.
Farmer worked as a radio broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox for nearly 30 years, played 11 seasons in the major leagues, including three with his hometown White Sox, and was a strong advocate for organ donation.
On behalf of the
@Athletics
broadcast team—congrats to Joe Castiglione on being the Frick Award recipient from the Baseball Hall. So deserving and just as great a person as a broadcaster. Personifies everything good about our business.
All the best everyone for the holidays!!
The privately financed ballpark will anchor a new, vibrant, waterfront district that will feature housing, including affordable housing, restaurants, retail, small business space, and public gathering spaces.
#RootedInOakland
Ken Korach’s father is 101. He’s lived through the 1918 Spanish flu (born in 1919), the Depression & WWII.
“My doctor says I’m going to live to be 105. I just live each day, to be honest with you.”
How Simon gives Ken perspective in a time of darkness
And in a magnanimous gesture, the great Lon Simmons-who was doing play by play for that inning-turned the mic over to Bill King, who delivered one of his classic, iconic calls.
Not sure there are adequate words to describe my gratitude for the messages to my dad on his birthday. I read them to him and my family read most of them as well. We were all so incredibly touched. And-by the way-he’s still very sharp. Hasn’t lost much off his fastball.
Thanks to
@susanslusser
for her great work. Besides our writing, the book includes long-form interviews with
@Athletics
notables like Rickey Henderson,
@DaveKaval
, David Forst, BoMel and many others. Plus foreword by Dennis Eckersley.
The Wayback: The Swingin’ A’s presented by
@budweiserusa
will feature Game 1 of the 1974 World Series tomorrow at 8 p.m.
The re-air will include commentary from Ray Fosse and
@KenKorachRadio
as they’ll both join the broadcast to share stories of the A’s dynasty during the game!
So tragic and sad. And so close to home. Not that it really matters since all of these shootings are so awful, but we used to live 10 miles from the festival.
Tonight, proceeds from Garlic Fries and Gilroy Garlic Burger purchases will benefit those individuals and families impacted by Sunday’s tragedy at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
Two weeks from tomorrow—the 14th,
@susanslusser
and I will be at Barnes and Noble in Dublin from 1-3 with plenty of copies of our
@Athletics
book for sale and signing. If These Walls Could Talk-Oakland A’s. Looking forward to seeing everyone and All the best for the holidays!!
Been asked about the theme of the book and, generally, it’s what
@Athletics
folks do in their jobs. Besides our writing there are interviews from Rickey Henderson to
@DaveKaval
and many more. And, the many emotions on a Sunday when
@DALLASBRADEN209
was perfect.
The view from the visiting radio booth at Yankee Stadium. Sonny Gray faces old friend Kendall Graveman-back up from Nashville for Oakland tonight. A’s-Yankees. 3:30 pregame, 4:05 first pitch on 957 The Game and A’s Radio Network.
Thanks Janie and kudos to
@warriors
for honoring Bill’s incredible legacy. And although we’re thrilled he’s been recognized with baseball’s Frick Award, let’s hope there’s a day when the basketball and football Hall’s follow suit. His work was unparalleled in those sports.
The grass is green and there’s baseball on the radio today from Mesa. A’s-Padres with Graveman on the mound and a lineup full of regulars. 11:30 pregame, noon 1st pitch on 95-7 The Game and A’s Radio Network.
Today the late Al Helfer is honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame as recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence. Besides numerous national credits, Mr. Helfer did radio with Monte Moore for
@Athletics
in 1968-69. Broadcasting pioneer-congrats to his family.
Thanks to
@Athletics
the response had been great to our question (for a book with
@susanslusser
) of fans 3 favorite A’s games. Still a few more days to chime in. Compiling a list to use in our broadcasts next few days. Many memories have been rekindled.
Beautiful day in the Northwest. Brett Anderson returns to the A’s in game two of the series. A’s-M’s 6:30 pregame, 7:10 first pitch. A’s need win to get back to .500. On 957 The Game and A’s Radio Network.
Roof open at Minute Maid for Manaea’s 1st start after the no-no. Great matchup with Keuchel. A’s-Astros. 5:10 Pacific, 4:30 pregame on 957 The Game and A’s Radio Network.
The late A’s/Giants hot dog vendor Jimmy Graff remembered your name, your birthday, your anniversary, your favorite baseball moment, your favorite brand of mustard. He remembered who you were. He remembered because he cared.
Now it’s time to remember him
To explain how much Gary Hughes meant to me and virtually everyone in baseball is impossible. He had a million friends and cared about all of them with sincerity and a huge heart. I learned a lot from Gary. And learned about baseball from him too.
Thanks and you’ll be missed. You know one thing I just thought of that we’re going to miss? Rain delays. Nobody better when we needed a half-hour or so of your time.
who’ve been marvelous to cover, true pros, and to Mickey Morabito, Steve Vucinich, Ken Korach, Mike Selleck and David Feldman for decades of help and friendship. Covering the A's has been a privilege and an absolute blast.
A’s baseball early today, looking for a 4-4 first homestand. Bay Area radio station is Q102. 102.1 FM and A’s Radio Network. Noon pregame and 12:35 first pitch. Mengden vs. the Rangers at the Coliseum.
Mike Piscotty speaks after today’s Crawford Family golf tournament benefiting ALS CURE-the charity he established. The team score on the course wasn’t great but the cause certainly was.
A reminder about Saturday!
@susanslusser
and I with a signing for our
@Athletics
book If These Walls Could Talk beginning at 1 pm at Barnes and Noble in Dublin at Hacienda Crossings. Plenty of books for sale and we’ll be there at least until 3 pm. We’re really looking forward!
Johnny Miller’s last broadcast is tomorrow. After his miraculous win at Pebble in ‘94, he gave me the most insightful, honest, engaging interview of my career. 30 minutes, could have gone 2 hours and nothing had matched it since. He’ll really be missed.
A reminder about A’s baseball from the Tokyo Dome. 2 games live on the radio Sunday vs. Nippon-Ham Fighters. 3 am and 8 pm. Preceded by full pre-game shows. Join
@vincebaseball
,
@townsendradio
and me on KTRB 860 AM, the A’s Network and the Tunein app.
An Oakland event for If These Walls Could Talk
@Athletics
.
@susanslusser
and I will be at East Bay Booksellers on College on Saturday from 11:30-1. We hope to see you there.
Another fantastic Hot Stove event last night. Besides recognizing Billy O and Stephen Piscotty of
@Athletics
, now 35 years of supporting amateur baseball. Great to see so many folks who are a big part of the local baseball community.
Yes indeed,
@KleinschmidtJD
,
@athleticscast24
, executives, producers, engineers, affiliates, It’s a big effort almost everyday and the help we get in the air and behind the scenes has always been beyond top notch.
Devastated. Not only was Lawrence a great friend, but he was the consummate pro. Tireless, supportive and an endless source of information. A legend, an institution, a throwback. Bake a cake in his honor, because FanCake was one of the great Bay Area basketball traditions.
We are saddened to share that longtime sports information director Lawrence Fan has passed away at the age of 67.
More information will come soon on the celebration and recognition of Lawrence's life.
#SpartanUp
Takeaways from Lucroy presser: Doesn’t think last year was “Who he is” as a player. Feels primed for big year hitting and catching. Very studious learning pitchers and can learn staff quickly. Excited about A’s young talent and feels can “Surprise a lot of people.”
@susanslusser
and I will be at Montclair branch of the Oakland library from 6:30 pm until 7:45 on Sept. 18. We’ll talk about our book If These Walls Could Talk
@Athletics
and books available for purchase and signing courtesy of A Great Good Place for Books. Looking forward!
A note about a holiday season event with
@susanslusser
and me for our
@Athletics
book: If These Walls Could Talk—Oakland A’s. Sat. Dec. 14 from 1-3 at Barnes and Noble in Dublin. Books for sale and we’ll sign and chat as long as there are folks there. Looking forward!
Just registered for the Crawford Family Golf Tournament, being held in Phoenix on Feb. 22 to coincide with start of Cactus League. Benefits ALS CURE, the charity established by Mike Piscotty, Stephen’s father. Mike has poured his heart into the cause.