Danny Graves is our guest Friday on Right Off The Bat. The right hander was a collegiate closer at the University of Miami Fla., before being drafted into pro ball. Graves talks about the make up of a closer and how he deals with the ups and downs of the job. The show starts at 2:55 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s web site, or 610 AM KFRC in Northern California. [Read more →]

The formula for success in baseball today requires a steady, deep, reliable bull pen.

As June fades into July, the relievers begin to wear down from overuse during the first half of the year.

I see this pattern develop every season.

The Athletics are a team in danger of falling into the abyss of having overworked relievers as are a few of the other front runners.

Click “Read More” and I’ll tell you what I see.

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BUBBA TRAMMELL

L: Marty Lurie here on Right Off the Bat, today with Bubba Trammell of the Padres. First of all: Bubba. Is that a given name or is that a nickname?

T: No, it’s my middle name. I don’t know why Dad did that to me, but he named me that five years before I was born. [Read more →]

Check out these newly added audio interviews:

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As baseball fans we don’t often have a chance to talk with a former player who played in the major leagues during the 1930’s. On Thursday, Elden Auker, who started game seven of the 1934 World Series against Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean will join me on Right Off The Bat. The show airs at 2:50 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s website, or 610 KFRC AM in Northern California. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to speak to Elden Auker. [Read more →]

Every night some batter complains because a pitcher threw a pitch too far inside for his comfort.

Last night, Barry Bonds was moved off the plate in the ninth inning of an 8-3 game the Giants were losing to the Devil Rays.

In Florida, Ryan Dempster was thrown out of the game after hitting Travis Fryman in a 3-0 game, he was leading in the seventh inning after two batters were hit in the sixth inning, one on each team.

This game has been around for 125 years. The game is simple.

The pitcher is supposed to get the batter out. The hitter is supposed to hit the ball.

Anything thrown by the pitcher is fair as far as I’m concerned.

Here’s why. [Read more →]

If you enjoy reminiscing about the Pacific Coast League of the late forties thru the mid fifties, then don’t miss Wednesday’s show when the guest is Brent Kelley, author of “The San Francisco Seals, 1946-1957.” The show airs at 2:50 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, thru the A’s web site, or KFRC 610 AM, in Northern California. Brent will be calling in live from his home in Kentucky. [Read more →]

ERIC GAGNE

Marty Lurie here on Right Off the Bat today with Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers, now a closer in baseball. That is a rare bird, and it takes a real professional to get the job done. This year you’re the closer for the LA Dodgers. [Read more →]

Watching the way the A’s are playing now, reminds me a lot of the way they surged last year. Led by their big 3 aces, Mulder, Hudson and Zito, and tight defense, the A’s are showing their succes is so dependent on starting pitching.

Let me give you my formula for the A’s success this season.

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Quick tell me who your favorite team’s five starting pitchers are because from now on (with few exceptions), you’ll be needing one of them every day until the All Star break begins July 8th.

If you are the A’s, Mariners, Angels, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, or the Cubs you are in decent shape to either hold your position or improve in the standings.

Click “Read More” and I’ll tell you why. [Read more →]