Since Hideo Nomo arrived in
the United States with the
Los Angeles Dodgers
around a decade ago,
Japanese players have
started pouring into
the Major Leagues.
The A’S have the most
recent entry, it’s a Yabu.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

Last December in this site right
after the A’S traded Mark Mulder
I wrote about the current A’S
ownership selling the team.
Today (1/7/05)all Bay Area
newspapers are writting
about that.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

Marty: In anticipation of your upcoming Thursday program here are a few thoughts, for whatever they may be worth, respecting what has now become the traditional off-season. Scott Boras may have more impact on the success or failure of teams in the coming season than anyone else.

There appear to be five teams which have made significant moves, namely, the Yankees, Boston, Seattle, the Mets and the Giants. Among these teams, the Yankees and the Mets may be contemplating further additions. I am assuming that the Yankees already have Johnson signed. The Yankees, with the addition of Pavano, Wright and now Johnson, have bought a new rotation. Boston, though losing Martinez and Cabrera, have added Renteria and Clement. Renteria is a better player than Cabrera. Seattle has added Sexson and Beltre, major moves. The Mets have added Martinez and apparently are serious about Beltran.

Click below for more of Ed’s analysis.

[Read more →]

Pastime Passings in 2004
By Bruce Markusen

The baseball world did not endure the loss of any Hall of Fame members in 2004, but still suffered the departures of a number of accomplished major league managers (including Charlie Fox, Darrell Johnson, and Johnny Oates); two standout umpires (Ken Burkhart and Ed Sudol); a trio of winners of the Frick and Spink awards (Joseph Durso, Joe Falls, and Bob Murphy); several All-Star caliber players (Bobby Avila, Ray Boone, and Ken Caminiti); and an array of colorful characters (including Rod Kanehl, Tug McGraw, and Leon Wagner).

In their collective honor, we present the roll call for 2004:

Click below for the comprehensive list. Bruce thanks so much for this contribution to baseball history,
Marty [Read more →]

Shooty Babitt and I return to Crogan’s Montclair this Thursday January 6th for the first of four Thursday Night Inside Baseball Shows (winter version).

The show begins at 6 PM, is heard throughout northern California on KFRC 610 AM, and will lead into Cal basketball’s pregame at 7:10 PM.

We will look at the remaining free agents, discuss the winter moves made by the A’s and the Giants, and analyze the impact the free agents who have already signed will have with their new teams.

We plan to take a few calls live on the air from the fans and will have some nationally known baseball writers and other baseball guests call in too.

The call in number is 1 888 610 4627.

Show dates are January 6th and 20th, then February 3rd and 17th, every other Thursday at 6 PM beginning this week.

See you there,

Marty Lurie [Read more →]

Now that the New Year has officially begun, (the next significant event will be disposing of the Super Bowl), it’s time to take on the first hurdle of the new season: The Hall of Fame inductees for 2005 will be announced this Tuesday.

No doubt Wade Boggs will be voted in. Was he the best at his position? Probably as close to it as possible. My recollections of Boggs center on the way he attacked 200 hits every season. Only Pete Rose or perhaps Steve Garvey and now Ichiro made their annual pursuit of 200 hits in a season their primary goal.

What a tough out Boggs was. Taking pitches close to the plate, you couldn’t strike him out. One of the toughest outs of all time.

Two hundred hits in one year is a mark that is still significant for me and it is still a thrill to see a player connect on that milestone. Boggs did it regularly plus won batting titles and I don’t think you can tell the story of baseball during his career without including his exploits.

Boggs gets my vote without a question.

Click below for the my thoughts on who should also get the call around noon on Tuesday. [Read more →]

“Me gustaria jugar para mi
papá otra vez”
(I would like to play for my
dad again) were the
words from Moisés Alou
who will be reunited
with his father in
San Francisco next year.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

Marty: The Giants, going into this off season, had readily identified needs. They were missing a closer, a shortstop, a catcher, since it was clear they were going to bid goodby to Pierzynski, and an outfielder, preferably a center fielder, who could hit behind Bonds and constitute enough of a threat that pitchers would think twice about walking Barry.

By signing Alou, after having come to terms with Vizquel, Matheny and Benitez, they have probably filled each of their needs, although questions still remain. It is true that the Giants are building for the future but the future they have identified is circumscribed by the 2005 World Series.

Click below for Ed’s well thought out take on the 2005 Giants.

[Read more →]

Last two years I have worked
for the Mariners breaking
ground for them on their
first Spanish Radio Network
and I have experienced
a corporate organization
operate not a small
or big market but a
market where they
are the show.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

With the Athletics recent moves
there is only one logical
response to this Beane-Schott
Going-Out-Of-Business-Sale,
they are getting ready to
unload the franchise.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]