Saturday, June 21, 2014

Talking Shop with A's Ace Play-By-Play Broadcaster Ken Korach; Writes The Definitive Book on Bill King; Saturday Schmooze

Embedded image permalink Friday night I went over the Coliseum and met with the great Oakland A's play-by-play broadcaster, Ken Korach.


We talked shop, we schmoozed --those of you that come here know of my fond appreciation of Korach and his partner, Vince Cotroneo, --probably one of the most talented and underrated broadcast crews in Major League Baseball.


The A's are my hometown team. Love the Green and Gold. I go back to the days of Reggie Jackson, Gene Tenace, Campy Campaneris, Captain Sal Bando and Joe Rudi. Rickey Henderson too. A's and Raiders. Warriors too. It's a Tower of Power of Back to Oakland Superstars, some Hall-of-Famers.


Let's not forget the greatest broadcaster ever; the guy that described the action from the Coliseum; the place that Curt Gowdy referred to as "The House of Thrills"; Bill King, Holy Toledo!


Korach has been with the A's for almost 20 years and recently wrote a book about Bill King. Finally got it and couldn't put it down. Riveting stuff. Poignant, happy, what a ton of memories and then some.


I knew Korach could do great play-by-play. I didn't know he was a great writer. This is a terrific book, a must read not only for those of you that appreciated Bill King, but also like good stories.
There's a ton of stories in "Holy Toledo--Lessions from Bill King: Renaissance Man of The Mic"


Read the book.


The Foreword was written by Jon Miller.


It's one of those books that brings back great memories from the beginning of King's career; I began listening to Bill in the early 70's when he was doing the Raiders. Of course he would soon broadcast the A's, Raiders and Warriors. A three-sport broadcast superstar.


In the book, Korach describes his first introduction to Bill King--as a kid growing up in West LA:


 It was a magical experience, having a game four hundred miles away come out of the little box next to my bed, and Bill King made me feel like I was sitting courtside with him.




The book is entertaining and perfect reading if you appreciate great broadcasters. Korach worked with King for 10 years and took over for Bill when he died in 2005. There's stories about that and more. Like I said it's nostalgic, it's funny and there's quite a bit of interesting things to read, some good inside dope too, hilarious and things even I didn't know about Bill King.


It's Summer. Reading time.


This is worth it. 
































































































*Follow me on Twitter




*KenKoarch
*Bill King book






























17 comments:

  1. Nice to see Ken and Vince get some kudos! Will put Ken's book on my "must read" list.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A's! Stay in Oakland! Please! Don't move to San Jose!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Don't forget the Finley fresh ball delivery method. Wasn't it a rabbit shaped stand that popped up from the ground?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, "Harvey" the mechanical rabbit.

      Delete
  4. I am currently reading this book. I knew a little about Billl's interests outside of sports before I started the book but am learning much more. I agree, it is a book worth reading.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Security is laxed. How'd the guy on the left make it into the booth?? :)

    Even this Giants fan, who enjoys all the Giants broadcasters, thinks Korach is the best of the Bay Broadcasters.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I remember Bill King doing a Warrior game and the ref, Ed Rush made a call that drove Bill crazy. As the ref passed by the broadcaster's table, Bill King screams out "no guts Ed Rush!"

    ReplyDelete
  7. King's reputation as a great basketball and good football announcer got him a pass calling baseball, which he wasn't very good at.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wrong. He was so good at football and basketball that people expected him to be the greatest at baseball too.

      His baseball work was exceptional, and when it came to calling exciting plays Bill was top notch. Saying King wasn't good at baseball only shows you how outstanding he was at the other 2 sports.

      My wife and I had season tickets for many years, and I never missed the post game highlights. Loved listening to Bill King. A treasure that is missed.

      Delete
    2. Biz P:
      Spoken like a true, nonobjective fan.


      Delete
    3. How many games did you actually listen to with King doing baseball?? Probably not many.

      Delete
  8. Viva Oakland A's! Ken Korach is light years than the Giants' group of dull idiots.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love this photos. You're very cute, Rich.
    That little devil lurking inside you, is obvious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Thank you, Karel. Thank you, Little devil, indeed. Now, really, who are you? Are you Veronica De La Cruz? Let's do lunch. You have your people call my people and my cuteness is so there. Honest. If you are Karel beat it.

      Delete
  10. I've become an A's fan in the last three years, and agree that Korach and especially Cotroneo are excellent at their craft. I learn a lot about baseball listening to Vince and like his voice and sense of humor.

    ReplyDelete
  11. We miss you Bill!

    ReplyDelete