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This week in GIANTS baseball - APR 7th + 8th

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (APR 7th)

Bruce Jenkins - Marty talks to Bruce about Candlestick: Blow it up or keep it? L i n c e c u m: Rough first start? Did he bounce back striking out 5 in a row? Huff: Was he over matched?

John Shea - 'The Shea-Hey kid' calls in to talk about Bruce Bochy vs Kirk Gibson: Is this a good manager match-up? NL West: Will the Dodgers be a surprise this year? Cespedes: Is he all hype or the real deal?

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (APR 8th)

Ron Wotus - Marty talks to GIANTS bench coach, before Easter Sunday's Game vs the D-Backs... about being 0-2: Is the offense better than last year? Chase Field: Is it a run friendly park? Should they close the roof?

Mike Quade - Former Cubs Manager, Mike Quade, calls in to talk to Marty about what he's doing now: Does he miss baseball? Pagan: Will he improve the GIANTS offense? Is he a true lead-off hitter?

Bruce Jenkins - Marty talks to Bruce about Opening Day: Should all the games be played on the same day? Why hasn't SF had an opening day lately? The GIANTS starting off 0-2: Can Cain bust out the GIANTS to their first win today? Blanco + Burris starting today: Will they make the difference today?

Chris Singleton - Marty talks to Chris Singleton about his early GIANTS days: What was that like? Getting into broadcasting: Was it a natural fit for him?

Mudcat Grant - Marty talks to former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians, Jim 'Mudcat' Grant about the Art of Pitching

Spring Training GIANTS baseball - MAR 31st + APR 1st

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (APR 1st)

Bruce Jenkins - Marty and Bruce talking Sunday Morning Baseball...Huff: Is he at the end of his rope? NL West: Is pitching key for this division?

Rex Hudler - Marty talks to 'Hud', the newest Kansas City Royals TV sportscaster, about the new job: Does he have a face for radio? Spring Training: How's it feel to be back?

Russ Ortiz - Marty's son...Aaron Lurie...interviews former GIANTS pitcher Russ Ortiz about coming back to Spring Training

Hensley Meulens - Marty talks to GIANTS' hitting coach 'Bam Bam' Meulens about the Art of Hitting

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 31st)

Thom Brennaman + Larry Kruger - Marty talking baseball with Reds Broadcaster Thom Brennaman + KNBR's Larry Kruger

Daniel Otero - Marty talks to GIANTS relief pitcher about the GIANTS keeping 12 pitchers: Does he think he might be one of them? Changing his role from college starter to a Pro reliever...

Andrew Baggarly - Marty talks to CSN Bay area + KNBR Insider about Zito: Can he get some outs? Can he get to the 3rd inning? Burriss at Shortstop? Why are they moving him around?

Steven Goldman - Steven Goldman calls in to talk about a Baseball Prospectus Book: Extra Innings: More Baseball Between the Numbers

Jeff Kent - Marty talks to former GIANTS' slugger Jeff Kent about the Art of Hitting

George Brett - George Brett breaks down the Art of Hitting with Marty Lurie

Will Clark - Marty talks to former GIANTS great Will 'The Thrill' Clark about the Art of Hitting

Spring Training GIANTS baseball - MAR 24th + 25th

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 24th)

Peter Gammons - Peter Gammons of MLB.com joins Marty to talk about passing of Mel Parnell, the left-handed pitcher who was known as 'the Yankee Killer', spent his entire 10-year career with the Boston Red Sox

Chuck Cottier - Marty talks to the former manager of the Seattle Mariners about the last couple weeks of Spring Training, Rangers vs GIANTS: Are both teams ready for opening day? Burriss: Will he make the roster?

Nate Schierholtz + Gregor Blanco + Shawon Dunston - Marty talks to GIANTS' Schierholtz, Blanco and Dunston before Saturday's Spring Training game

Gaylord Perry - Marty talks to Gaylord Perry, one of the premier pitchers of his generation, about the Art of Pitching

Robb Nen - Former GIANTS' Closer Robb Nen joins Marty to talk about the Art of Pitching

Tim L i n c e c u m - GIANTS' pitching Ace Tim L i n c e c u m breaks down the Art of Pitching

Dave Righetti - GIANTS' Dave Righetti breaks down the Art of Pitching

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 25th)

Bill Gould - Bill Gould joins Marty to talk about the passing of Mel Parnell

Bruce Levine - Marty talks to ESPN's Bruce Levine about this White Sox team: Changes during the off-season? Ventura: Can he manage this team?

Bruce Jenkins - Marty talks to Bruce about the GIANTS opening day roster: Who's going to make it? Burriss: Can he start 2nd base? Hector Sanchez: Could he be the back-up catcher?

Andrew Baggarly - Marty talks to Baggs about putting this roster together: Who's going to make the roster? Schierholtz: Is it his job to lose? Vogelsong + Freddie: are they going on the DL?

Mark Gardner - Marty talks to GIANTS bullpen coach Mark Gardner about the Art of Pitching

Ferguson Jenkins - Marty talks to the old right- hander, Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins, about the Art of Pitching

Spring Training GIANTS baseball - MAR 17th + 18th

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 17th)

Buster Posey - GIANTS' Catcher Buster Posey breaks down the Art of Catching

Bruce Bochy - Marty talks to GIANTS Manager and former catcher Bruce Bochy about the Art of Catching

Mike Scioscia - Mike Scioscia joins Marty to discuss the Art of Catching

Ray Fosse - Ray Fosse breaks down the Art of Catching with Marty Lurie

Gary Hughes - Marty talks to Gary Hughes about his new job, being a major league scout and his take on Outfielder Blanco ...Is he going to make the club?

Robb Nen - Marty talks to Robb Nen about being back at GIANTS Spring Training camp, the 2002 season and 10 years after the GIANTS vs Angels World Series

Sergio Romo + Eli Whiteside + Brandon Crawford - Marty talks to GIANTS' Romo, Whiteside and Crawford before Saturday's St. Patrick's day Spring Training game

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 18th)

Steve Decker - Steve Decker breaks down the Art of Catching

Tim Kurkjian - Marty talks to Mr Baseball about the NL West: Who's the favorite? Dodgers: Change coming soon? Matt Cain: Will he be re-signed?

Emmanuel Burriss - Marty talks Manny about scoring runs: Good spring for him? Is HE the fastest GIANT?

Brandon Belt - Marty talks to GIANTS Brandon Belt before Sunday's game...

Steve Travers - Marty talks to Steven Travers about his article "The Inner Zen of Barry Zito" ...the ups and downs of GIANTS pitcher Barry Zito

Bobby Evans - Marty talks to Bobby Evans about Cain: Will he be signed soon? Burriss: Will he make the ball club? Freddie Sanchez: Will he ready to go at the start of the season?

Arizona: Angels and Athletics

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Tempe. This is the 20th season the Los Angeles Angels make their home at Diablo Stadium. And this spring there is as much interest for this team as it has ever been before in 51 years as a franchise. The main reason? Two words: Albert Pujols. Yes, the mega star first baseman is looking as good as ever. “Contentisimo de estar aqui, una muy buena actitud en este equipo y no puedo esperar a que inicie la temporada” –trans:”Extremely happy to be here, a great attitude here with this team, I cannot wait for the season to start”. Albert Pujols is the man with the Angels, but the key player for this club is Kendrys Morales. I had a nice chat with the Cuban-born player who has not played since May 29, 2010, with a serious injury to his left ankle. Watching during batting practice every day, was easy, he still has a great swing, he is ambidextrous (much power from the left side). His problem has been running and the media was not yet witnessed him doing that, but Mike Scioscia reports everyday prior to games at Diablo stadium at 10AM.

Spring Training GIANTS baseball - MAR 10th + 11th

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 10th)

Jeff Fletcher - Jeff Fletcher joins Marty in Scottsdale to talk about GIANTS Magazine: Its not just a program, 2nd Base: Do they have depth now at 2nd? Crawford + Belt: Will they both to be on the team to start the season?

JT Snow - Marty talks to JT Snow about Fantasy Ball, Spring Training ball and who does he think will be playing 1st when camp breaks?

Justin Fitzgerald - Marty talks to Justin Fitzgerald, GIANTS prospect, about growing up a GIANTS fan, getting drafted by the GIANTS and going from being a relief pitcher to a starter

Ron Kulpa - Marty talks to the MLB Ump about getting into umpiring, working the World Series and what does he think about Instant Replay?

Tim Flannery - Marty talks to the GIANTS 3rd Base Coach about teaching a bunting class: Does he focus on the young players? Going to first to third: Are the GIANTS trying to create more offense?

Pill + Posey + Runzler + Vogelsong - Marty talks to GIANTS' Brett Pill, Buster Posey, Dan Runzler and Ryan Vogelsong before Saturday's Spring Training game

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 11th)

Brian Wilson + Tommy Joseph - Marty talks to GIANTS closer Brian Wilson + Tommy Joseph before Sundays game

Dan Plesac - Marty talking Spring Training baseball with MLB TV's Dan Plesac

Henry Schulman - Marty talks to Henry Schulman about the back-up catcher: Whiteside or Stuwart? Huff: Is he locked in to start the season at 1st? Can he do it at 35 y/o?

Larry Kruger - Larry calls in to talk about 4th outfielder: Can Huff handle being the extra outfielder? Zito: Can he be productive this year? Will he get to 8 wins?

Bruce Jenkins - Marty talks to Bruce Jenkins about Freddie Sanchez: How's the shoulder? Tommy Joseph: will he be Posey's back-up? Good depth at catcher?

Bruce Bochy - Marty talks to the GIANTS Manager about injuries: How many innings will Brian Wilson pitch today? Buster Posey...how's he looking? Tommy Joseph: Big day on Saturday

Spring Training GIANTS baseball - MAR 3rd + 4th

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 3rd)

Bruce Bochy - Marty talks to the GIANTS Manager about the first Spring Training game of 2012, the injuries to Posey and Sanchez

Bruce Jenkins - Marty talks to Bruce Jenkins about the start of Spring Training, the new GIANTS line-up and who was the last best GIANTS base stealer?

Huff + Brandon Crawford + Angel Pagan - Marty talks to Huff, Brandon Crawford and the newest GIANTS Angel Pagan about the first Spring Training game

Marc Appleman - Marty talks to Marc Appleman from SABR.org about statical analysis of baseball

Andy Baggarly - Marty talks to Andy Baggarly from Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area about his new job, Spring Training and the GIANTS upcoming season

Gaylord Perry - Marty talks to the 5-time all-star about the Art of Pitching

Chris Gargano - Marty talks to GIANTS Senior Director, Marketing and Entertainment Chris Gargano

KNBR Pre-game Show with Marty Lurie (MAR 4th)

Brandon Belt + the Panda + Henry Cotto + Ryan Theriot + Hector Sanchez - Marty talking Spring Training baseball with GIANTS Brandon Belt, Pablo Sandoval, Henry Cotto, Ryan Theriot, Hector Sanchez

Bobby Evans - Marty talks to GIANTS Vice President of Baseball Operations about the upcoming GIANTS season, Darrin Ford, and What game is he going to today?

Jerry Coleman - This MLB broadcaster is the only MLB player to have seen combat in two wars, having served in the Korean War and WWII . He later became a broadcaster, and he was honored in 2005 by the Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick Award for his broadcasting contributions.

Larry Kruger + Ron Brand - Marty talking Spring Training baseball with Larry Kruger and Major League Scout Ron Brand

Rick Rizzs - Mariners Broadcaster Rick Rizzs joins Marty to talk about Spring Training ball

Nick Piecoro - Marty talks to Nick Piecoro about Spring Training baseball, D-backs and Kirk Gibson

Rafael �Felo� Ramírez, a Living Legend

According to records, Rafael Ramírez was born in Bayamo, Cuba in 1921. He will begin another season behind the microphone in just a few days, as the Miami Marlins broadcast games from their Spring Training home in Jupiter, Florida. The Grapefruit League is about to begin in Florida and the Cactus League in Arizona. Felo has been the Spanish Voice for the Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins) since their first year in 1993, when they were established as an expansion franchise in the National League.

Hispanics in Baseball (1961-2012)

I picked the year 1961 for this article about Hispanic/Latino players in Major League Baseball. Why 1961? I figured that was a very historic year, as the most coveted record in all American professional sports was broken. New York Yankee outfielder Roger Maris hit 61 home runs, one more than Babe Ruth, who held the record for 34 years. A caveat: Ruth hit 60 HR in 1927 in 151 games, (season was 152 games) while Maris hit 61, in 1961 in 161 games (season of 162 games). 1961 was Roberto Clemente’s first batting title of four in his brilliant career, and first of fourteen Gold Gloves for the Puerto Rican right fielder. Coincidentally, 1961 was my first year in the United States as a teenager, just arrived from Cuba, and first time (as a fan) that I had the privilege of watching major league baseball. Cuba is the baseball pioneer in Latin America. The first ever Hispanic ballplayer born in Latin America was Cuban-born Esteban Bellán in 1869 with the Troy Haymakers of the American Association, who later in 1876 became the National League. It was in May 1961 when Fidel Castro announced there will be no more elections in Cuba. Next year, he eradicated all professional sports in the country. Since 1962, Cuban players belong to the State, and the only way they can make it to the Big Leagues, is by defecting a totalitarian system that has ruled for half a century.

Thirty-nine years since Roberto Clemente disappeared

Nobody among Hispanic baseball players, and few in total, deserves the respect and admiration of Roberto Walker Clemente. Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he gave his life helping others he never met.

One thing is to have statues, and plaques and all types of recognition for your work in the world of baseball; another is to have given your life for people in another country that you never met. Among all the trophies in Major League Baseball, few are more appropriate that the Roberto Clemente Humanitarian Award.