Every night some batter complains because a pitcher threw a pitch too far inside for his comfort.

Last night, Barry Bonds was moved off the plate in the ninth inning of an 8-3 game the Giants were losing to the Devil Rays.

In Florida, Ryan Dempster was thrown out of the game after hitting Travis Fryman in a 3-0 game, he was leading in the seventh inning after two batters were hit in the sixth inning, one on each team.

This game has been around for 125 years. The game is simple.

The pitcher is supposed to get the batter out. The hitter is supposed to hit the ball.

Anything thrown by the pitcher is fair as far as I’m concerned.

Here’s why. [Read more →]

If you enjoy reminiscing about the Pacific Coast League of the late forties thru the mid fifties, then don’t miss Wednesday’s show when the guest is Brent Kelley, author of “The San Francisco Seals, 1946-1957.” The show airs at 2:50 PM Pacific right here on loveofthegameproductions.com, thru the A’s web site, or KFRC 610 AM, in Northern California. Brent will be calling in live from his home in Kentucky. [Read more →]

ERIC GAGNE

Marty Lurie here on Right Off the Bat today with Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers, now a closer in baseball. That is a rare bird, and it takes a real professional to get the job done. This year you’re the closer for the LA Dodgers. [Read more →]

Watching the way the A’s are playing now, reminds me a lot of the way they surged last year. Led by their big 3 aces, Mulder, Hudson and Zito, and tight defense, the A’s are showing their succes is so dependent on starting pitching.

Let me give you my formula for the A’s success this season.

[Read more →]

Quick tell me who your favorite team’s five starting pitchers are because from now on (with few exceptions), you’ll be needing one of them every day until the All Star break begins July 8th.

If you are the A’s, Mariners, Angels, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, or the Cubs you are in decent shape to either hold your position or improve in the standings.

Click “Read More” and I’ll tell you why. [Read more →]

Ever wonder if you could sell your baseball cards like the stockbrokers do on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The Topps Card Company has come up with a way to do it online through “ETOPPS.” Warren Friss, Topps VP of Internet business will explain how it works on Right Off The Bat Tuesday beginning at 2:50 PM Pacific, heard right here on LOTGP.com, the A’s website, or 610 AM KFRC, in Northern California. [Read more →]

The San Francisco Giants will celebrate
Latin American Player Reunion at Pacific
Bell Park, Sunday June 23, 2002.

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

It’s Sunday and it’s also Father’s Day, another weekly chapter comes to a close in the marathon season.

Flashback.

Father’s Day 1964, in New York, fans watched Philadelphia righthander Jim Bunning pitch one of the more dramatic games in baseball history, when he threw a no hit perfect game against the New York Mets in Shea Stadium.

I’ve interviewed Bunning, his catcher Gus Triandos, and second baseman Tony Taylor about the game and what they share in their memories about the game is how cool Bunning was that day as the drama unfolded.

In 1964, the Mets were managed by Casey Stengel, at that time a team still racking up 100 losses seasons as easily as Stengel had won AL pennants just a few years earlier with the crosstown Yankees.

Bunning was one of the top pitchers in the NL, on his way to a Hall of Fame career mainly with the Tigers and Phillies.

What a magic game for the Phils that day. Phillie manager Gene Mauch thought 1964 would be their year after the perfect game made every one sit up and take notice of the his team.

But, alas after seemingly having the pennant in hand, the Phil’s blew a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 to play and lost the flag on the last day to the Cardinals.

But on Father’s Day Jim Bunning put the spotlight on his club and made the nation aware of the Phillies, with a game I’ll never forget.

I think about the game every Father’s Day.

So, any potential gems out there today?

Click “Read More” and find out.

[Read more →]

One of the funniest and most astute writers in the Bay Area, Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle, joins Marty on Right Off The Bat Sunday at 11:50 AM Pacific hear the show right here on LOTGP.com, the A’s website, or KFRC 610 AM in Northern California. [Read more →]

by Charlie Danrick

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Have you stopped to consider what would happen in the event of another strike? Would fans be as forgiving as they were after the ’94 one and I have news for you…..too many never forgave and I ought to know because for 20 years I was an entrepreneur in the BUSINESS of baseball and sales receipts were much better pre-’94 than post. And here’s some scary info I took off the NY Post today, 6/14/02 but first….

Click “Read More” to continue reading. [Read more →]