Dale writes: As we enter the stretch run with under 40 games left in a complicated season filled with steroid accusations, Rally Monkeys and luxury tax lingo in baseball, all eyes seemed to centered on the American League west. [Read more →]

By Amaury Pi-González

“I don’t think American culture would

collapse if baseball collapsed.”

– Don Fehr March 13, 1990

Same Donald Fehr that is leading the

players union(2002) into what could be

another baseball players strike.

But strike or no strike, baseball will

survive just because it is baseball and

baseball is more than a sport, it is

more than a game, it is an American

institution.

[Read more →]

This year’s JG Taylor Spink Award winner Joe Falls is my guest on Right Off The Bat Friday. Falls, inducted into the Writer’s Wing of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this past July is a long time favorite in the Detroit area. Join us at 2:50 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s web site, or 610 AM KFRC in Northern California. [Read more →]

Was it his “I’m going to do it my way.” demeanor? or his “I thought I pitched great” comments after being knocked out after clearly pitching poorly? Maybe it was his on-field display when showed up Art Howe after he took him out of the game against the Milwaukee this year. Or was it a subtle frustration in me when Art Howe gave him the pitching responsibility in game four of the ALDS against the yankees, in which he was ineffective?

Here are my thoughts on the new Lidle.

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The Angels showed how tough they can be winning a very important game in hostile Yankee Stadium Wednesday. The rare mid week day game had the feel and look of a post season game as the teams were tied 1-1 heading into the 11th inning.

Scott Spiezio who Tuesday rang the bell to start the NY Stock Exchange, and drove back to the hotel Tuesday night in a police van, had more fun when he couldn’t lay down a bunt in the 11th and hit a game winning two run homer off Jeff Weaver instead.

Cory Lidle continued his impersonation of Cy Young in Cleveland, while Ismael Valdes celebrated his birthday winning in his Mariners debut in Detroit.

The Giants don’t want the Mets to leave town and the Dodgers avoided a tough loss in LA.

Today, the teams are back for more.

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Don Gutteridge was an infielder on the Gas House Gang teams of the thirties with the St. Louis Cardinals. Don also played in the 1944 World Series with the St. Louis Browns, he is my guest on Right Off The Bat Thursday at 2:50 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s web site, and 610 AM KFRC in Northern Caliornia.
His book “Don Gutteridge in Words & Pictures” can be ordered from NDUN.com/Gutteridge, it is an excellent book filled with many, many baseball pictures that I had never seen before.
I highly recommend reading Don Gutteridge’s book.
Marty Lurie [Read more →]

If you look at the standings every day as most baseball fans do, there is only one division in each league where the top three teams will be vying for playoffs spots, whether they be wild cards or division winners and it’s the West.

The Mets played like the ’62 Mets in Pac Bell Tuesday night, running themselves out of an inning, botching a throw from right field to the pitchers mound which allowed Barry Bonds to score when he had no intention of doing so, and seeing their first six batters of the game strike out.

The Tigers continue to close the deal when they have the lead after seven innings and Aaron Sele’s arm hurt after losing once again in NY.

Today should be even better. [Read more →]

The AL West is living up to its billing as the best division in baseball as three teams are virtually playing .600 baseball.

Location, location, location, the mantra of the real estate industry applies to the west tonight. The Angels play in NY against the Rivera-less Yankes, the A’s play the friendly Indians, and the Mariners face the suddenly “win at home” Tigers in Detroit.

The Cardinals take another get well pill at home versus the Pirates and the Dodgers return to LA to face the troublesome Marlins.

Pretty good for Tuesday.

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Bret and Mayra Breeding lived every baseball fan’s fantasy this season when the Texas couple visited every major league park. They will be my guests on Right Off The bat Tuesday at 2:50 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s web site, and 610 AM KFRC here in Northern California. This will be an interesting show as they tell us the ins and outs of their favorite stadiums. [Read more →]

All the owners have to do to avert any potential work stoppage is say to the players, the public, and all the teary eyed fans, “We won’t declare an impasse in the negotiations and implement our rules over the winter.”

It is so simple that it is ridiculous that not one writer, columnist or any other type of journalist has asked the owners for their response to this suggestion. Bargain in good faith, don’t threaten the players with the dreaded impasse, and life can move forward with a dramatic conclusion to the 2002 season.

What does the public expect the players to do? Sit back and let the owners declare the impasse and then lock them out if they don’t want to play by the new owner friendly rules.

So, let’s assume someone will read this suggestion and pass it on to the moguls who are terribly scorned by the players action Friday.

Meanwhile, the A’s continue their pursuit of Anaheim, the Giants are crying about their woes on the road, and the Red Sox are in danger of more losses this weekend in Minnesota.

Read on. [Read more →]