Dave Heaverlo, former big league reliever with the A’s, Giants, and Mariners is my guest tonight on Right Off The Bat. “The Tuna”, as he was affectionately known during his big league days, is currently a talk show host in Moses Lake, Washington. He knows the Mariners from top to bottom and will preview the series between the A’s and the M’s. The show starts at 5:50 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s web site, or KFRC 610 AM here in Northern California. [Read more →]

With interleague play taking a break until the weekend the division leaders in the NL East, the AL Central, and the AL West face their pursuers in very interesting confrontations starting tonight.

The White Sox, barely alive in the Central, haven’t seen the Twins in 2002.

Manager Jerry Manuel is already accusing the press of being the negative force behind the Sox’ trouble.

Hey, Jerry how’s your pitching holding up this year? How’s the Big Skirt, Frank Thomas?

Most observers feel the Sox don’t come to play every night.

The Sox play the Twins 19 times this year, game number one is tonight.

They better bring their “A” game to the tough Metrodome, where the Twins have the best home record in the league.

How about the other leaders? Are they under pressure to win these crucial mid season games?

Read more and I’ll tell you. [Read more →]

It’s Sunday and it’s officially summer time, a good time of year for a baseball fan.

If you are a fan of a team in the American League, you are starting to get the feel that this race will be very interesting in each division.

Peter Gammons wrote in his column yesterday his just discovered revelation that as the big three of the A’s rotation goes, so goes the Athletics.

Hey, Peter when did you drop in from outer space?

I’ve been saying the same thing for two months ever since Mark Mulder pulled up lame in April.

Plus, Peter, the AL West isn’t going away.

Peter, you better start worying about your Red Sox because all of a sudden they aren’t beating any righthanders and are getting that New England “I told you it wouldn’t last look.”

Plus there’s more, read on. [Read more →]

The Reds are currently struggling on offense and Cincinnati hitting coach Jim Levebvre is our guest on Right Off The Bat Sunday morning beginning at 9:00 AM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s web site, or 610 AM KFRC in Northern California. Levebvre, a former major league manager, discusses his approach to hitting and what it takes to be a successful major league hitter in today’s game. [Read more →]

The A’s faced the Reds in the 72 World Series with a strong pitching staff led by a formidable bull pen. Reliever Bob Locker was one of manager Dick Williams’ short men. Locker is my guest on Right Off the Bat Saturday heard at 2:55 PM Pacific right here on Loveofthegameproductions.com, the A’s web site, and KFRC 610 AM, in Northern California. [Read more →]

Enjoy Miguel Tejada today, because

there is a change after 2003 he will

be Adios ! [Read more →]

Sometimes the schedule breaks in your favor and that’s what is happening this weekend as the Athletics face the Cincinnati Reds in a three game series in the Queen City.

The Reds just were swept by the team the A’s and the Angels are chasing across the landscape, the Seattle Mariners.

How bad are the Reds right now, let me tell you. [Read more →]

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.

[Read more →]

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 →]