If you have been anywhere near the Bay Area the past week, the most debated baseball topic has been the public request by Hall of Famer to be Rickey Henderson that he be allowed to play his final season (I guess he means 2003) with his home town Oakland A’s.

His request has fallen upon deaf ears within the A’s hierarchy. Not surprising, because Rickey has been here before, most recently in 1998, and his skills had dropped so noticeably that Billy Beane let him go at season’s end with hardly a handshake good bye.

Now, it’s 2003, the team has been in the playoffs three consecutive years without advancing beyond the first round.

Rickey is still playing. Can Rickey help this team achieve its goal of a World Series appearance?

Click “Read more” and I’ll tell you my opinion. [Read more →]

The Aguilas(Eagles)of Cibao

won their fourth Caribbean

World Series title by defeating

the Puertorican champions

Indios(Indians)of Mayaguez.

The Dominican stars: Tejada,

Mondesí, Ortíz and Batista.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

Marty Lurie here on Memories of the Game with Joe Pignatano. Joe, baseball stories are special. This game’s been around 125 years, and what makes it live on are the stories of the game. You were born in Brooklyn and you signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. I don’t know if there’s a better story than that. [Read more →]

On Opening Day at Safeco Field in

Seattle, April 8, 2003 when the

Mariners face the World Champion

Anaheim Angels, the Mariners

will have their historical first

broadcast in Spanish.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

by Raymond Mileur

The St. Louis Cardinals were well represented, with a total of 11 Cardinal alumni, in the recent announcement of Hall of Fame Candidates for the 2003. The first question that comes to mind when reading this impressive list is that, is there anyone missing?

The former Cardinal candidates included are, Ken Boyer, Marty Marion, Roger Maris, Joe Torre, August Busch Jr., Whitey Herzog, Bill White, Curt Flood, Lee Smith, Dick Allen, Minnie Minoso and Vada Pinson. Missing from this list of candidates is former Cardinal Manager, Billy Southworth also known as “Billy the Kid” or the “Little General.”

click “read more” for a look at one of the most successful baseball managers of all time…Billy Southworth.
[Read more →]

He stands tall and alone at the edge of Cooperstown.

Ken Boyer is one of the leading candidates for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame. Ray Mileur, a free lance writer who specializes in St. Louis Cardinal features, makes a compelling case for the former Cardinal thirdbaseman.

Coincidentally, Boyer impressed me in one of my earliest memories of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn when as a young player he stole bases and hit the ball all over Brooklyn in one Dodger-Cardinal doubleheader in the mid fifties. (Marty Lurie)

Click “read more” for a terrific look at Ken Boyer and the argument for Cooperstown. [Read more →]

Listen as Marty interviews:

Barry Zito

David Justice

Mark Mulder

Ray Durham

Ray Fosse

Tim Hudson

Go to new interviews now! [Read more →]

Check out newly posted pictures of Marty and friends at the A’s fantasy camp in Arizona.

Thanks to Dave Jemes and Margie Kahn for many of the pictures.

View A’s Fantasy Camp Pictures! [Read more →]

Jerry Feitelberg is a great baseball fan. I’ve known him for the past six years and his passion for the game is unmatched. 2002 was a very trying year for Jerry and his wife Jerilyn and their family, baseball played a role in helping the family overcome major challenges. One night in particular stands out. Take a minute and click below to read a story of life and baseball and tell me what you think. In my opinion, Jerry’s story is why I love the game. Baseball’s impact on everyone associated with it is profound.

Thanks Jerry, you made my day,

Marty Lurie [Read more →]

It was bound to happen.

The Venezuelan Professional Baseball

League has decided to cancel the

remainder of the 2002-2003 season

after more than a month of suspended

games due to the national strike

aimed at forcing the resignation

of President Hugo Chávez.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]