Ken Korach, Veteran A's PBP Broadcaster, Is The Best Bay Area Baseball Announcer And Its Not Even Close

Ken Korach

We take Ken Korach for granted; we shouldn't.


He's the BEST baseball announcer in the Bay Area and in my Top 10 in the majors.


The Oakland A's veteran PBP broadcaster (on KTRB 860 AM)is a special mixture of concise play-calling; seriously deadly humor; a crisp delivery and isn't afraid to rip the home team when it merits. Korach has a special skill too that I love; the innate ability to give the score of the game multiple times; in fact, sometimes, too many--but I LOVE it.


Korach is in his 23rd year --seems like he's getting better every year.

Un-Baer-Able; 415 Media Exclusive; How SF Media Failed on Larry Baer Story; Video Highlights Dark Side; Tuesday In-Depth

POOR Larry Baer.

Not really.

Those of you that read me regularly know that I've been on the Larry Baer watch quite some time and not just about his Giants' influence.

Oh, there's so much.

Which is fine, I guess. Power is elusive and special and those that hold it usually abuse it.

So when the infamous Baer video showing him physically rip a cell phone out of his wife's hand and causing her to fall, became public, I wasn't shocked at all. I'm not suggesting that Baer is a domestic violence perp; whatever happened here is between he and his wife. But the video did one thing: it showed a side of this man that has existed quite some time but virtually ignored by the Bay Area media, sporting and news press too.

Baer has a dark side. Trust me, I know.

And again, I'm not alluding to his altercation with Pam. Sure, we all saw Baer in a light he's unaccustomed to: not the usual happy, chirpy, confident man who loves to mingle with the elite and rich and famous down near the Giants' dugout and at cocktail parties in the city. Truly, Baer was out of his element this time and there was no massaging from the lame SF media.

Baer loves Baer. Baer loves power. Baer is an advocate for Baer. He's also one of the most cunning, egotistical, outrageous jerks in the Bay Area if not the universe. The happy-face persona is a ruse. Baer is mean-spirited and petty too; how petty and mean-spirited? Just ask Dusty Baker, the onetime Giants' manager whose tax issues with the IRS were leaked by Larry Baer. It's known in the industry, especially locally yet Baer was given a pass.

Dusty never forgot.

Baer has every right to enjoy his social and political clout in this city but when he goes overboard he should also be called out. The incident involving his wife should have provided an opening to the local press to gauge deep into the Baer history but the pansies looked the other way. Am I surprised? Hell no.

Phil Matier, barely a word.

Ann Killion tried her best but swung and missed. Probably on purpose as Killion likes to pick and choose her fights but wasn't about to rock the boat especially when the editor-in-chief of her Chronicle newspaper is a dedicated Giants' fan.

Scott Ostler, who should know better and chews out villains on Sunday, had the perfect opportunity to nail Baer but even Scotty fouled out.

Hank Schulman? Are you kidding; gimme a break.

This is a new era in this city because in the old days even below-average reporters would have taken the time and do some honest research and examine Baer and his grip on San Francisco political and social circles. There's a lot to chew on, believe me. Baer owns this city. At one point years ago he considered running for mayor and he'd have probably won because his fingerprints are on pretty much every known particle, human and otherwise. And that extends from the ballyard to City Hall to the Hall of Justice.

Fear.

I suppose Baer is feared by the local media because they enjoy their Giants' privileges . The team has been sucking lately but doing business at the park remains on the to-do list and Baer, when he eventually comes back to China Basin (and he probably will sooner or later) still keeps tabs on those who continue to goose him and those who don't. Loyalty is a Trumpian virtue with Mr. Baer, who knew?

I do.

Coming soon: The Jeff Adachi story disgrace.

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Baer Fumes Over Excess 'On -Assignment' Giants' Broadcasters; Closed-Door Meeting; Cincy Event Was Boiling Point; 415 Media Exclu

Larry Baer

THERE IS NO JOY IN GIANTSVILLE ON THE FIELD; Now, according to a source I spoke to, there is no joy either when it comes to the team's broadcast set-up and the big boss has had enough of the shenanigans …

415 Media has learned Giants' President and CEO, Larry Baer, recently had a closed-door meeting with team officials over the many, lengthy, broadcasters non-Giants activity, commonly referred to as "on-assignment" duty.

The meeting last week saw Baer fuming and angry to the point of him (Baer) having to call off the sit-down and retreat back to a conference room to personally vent. The meeting consisted of at least two, high-up, team employees who were not named but heard the brunt of Baer's frustration.

Keep in mind, it was Baer himself that signed off to the schedule before the season knowing the arrangement but apparently was still angry over the current trend of repeated off time for the bulk of the season, especially late in the '18 campaign.

Baer's temper hit the boiling point in mid August; immediately after the LA Dodgers' series, the Giants took to the road in Cincinnati where three of the regular broadcasters; Jon Miller, Dave Flemming, and Mike Krukow were absent both on TV and radio. Adding insult, Miller not only missed the entire Reds series but the first game in NY too (against the Mets) --Furthermore, Miller was already in NY the prior Thursday and had dinner that night (with his wife) with a friend, Herb Cohen.

Left to Right: Dave Flemming, Jon Miller, Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper

Flemming took a sabbatical to broadcast Little League World Series for ESPN; Krukow doesn't cover any games east of Colorado (due to an ongoing medical issue) but the broadcasts on TV still looked and sounded rather empty. At least Baer seemed to think so.

The Cincy broadcasts were left to Kuiper, ex-Miami Marlins broadcaster, Rich Waltz, and Javier Lopez.  Not helping matters, the Giants were swept by the last-place Reds and the entire series amounted to a perfect metaphor for the 2018 season. Whatever the case, Baer was unhappy.

And still is today.

All current broadcasters are under contract for the 2019 season.

Baer's anger might be muted when the season comes to an end but don't be shocked if someone off the current roster were to retire or take a permanent break.

We Defer To A Certain Baseball Team --(And Will Try To Ignore The Mission Mayhem); Update

 We'll get back to the mundane material soon enough. And try to put this other rather predictable shit in the rearview mirror.


























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Larry Baer Is The Most Powerful Sports Media Person In The Bay Area; Secret $10M Bonus Looming; Controls All Avenues Of SF Sports Media

 If there were any doubt as to who's the single-most powerful figure in the Bay Area sports circle, it's all gone now.

Larry Baer, the Giants President and CEO, has quietly built up a superstar network of local business, political and social leaders with the focus being centered on the franchise's financial heath and overall well being.

It's impressive to say the least and with the Giants headed to their third World Series in five years that vast cachet of clout that Baer has established within his own inner circle only gets more pronounced.

Speaking of such, how's this for starters: Baer stands to receive a whopping $10M "service" bonus from the Giant's partners if the team wins another title and they're the odds-on favorite against the Kansas City Royals.

That's a 10 MILLION! bonus. That doesn't take into account Baer's multi-million dollar salary but the Giants are making mountains of money, more money than you can imagine with a waiting list of corporate sponsors, a sold-out season ticket base, and a nearly paid-for waterfront ballpark palace that is the envy of all Major League Baseball partners.

Baer's influence extends from the Giant's TV partnership; its cable affiliate, (and limited owner, Comcast), all the way to KNBR, with an extraordinary say on virtually all commercial broadcasts and beyond. Baer oversees all of that and then some and before anything gets hitched, Baer must see it and OK it. You'd be surprised to know just how much cachet and clout Baer carries, it's gargantuan and it's only going to get bigger and bigger.

Have you seen those frequent crowd shots of Baer schmoozing with some celebrities from the music, entertainment or political world? Baer works the room very well; the Giants are flush with cash and sitting on millions in profits and Baer is the captain of the ship. The next time you plunk down a hundred bucks for a few polish dogs and panda hats, a beer or two, Larry Baer says thank you.

He should.

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ESPN Doesnt Give A Shit That The SF Giants Won The Pennant

 HEY, TAKE A LOOK AT ESPN.COM Do it, right now.

It's been less than 24 hours since the Giants won the pennant and there's NOT a thing about SF's Game 5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. They're going to the effing World Series! And ESPN doesn't have a thing, you have to go to their baseball page to get some information.

I find this both amusing and sad. I know Major League Baseball isn't the sports nirvana it once was and that both basketball, pro football and college football especially kicks baseball's butt this time of the year but we're talking about the pennant -wait, The PENNANT!

I'm surprised.

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Fox Sports 1 Is A Crappy Place To Televise The Giants-Cards NLCS But You Already Knew That

 Shows you what Fox Sports Execs think of the National League Championship Series.

Yeah, I understand the audience for a Simpsons episode is bigger and makes more money, but that was the other night.

I have supreme news: I finally found FS1--I'm feeling pretty good.

And you?



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Billy Beane Is Toast Of The Town In Bay Area/National Sporting Media; Moneyball Oakland GM Pulls Off Blockbuster Trade for Oakland A's

 Billy Beane didn't have to do a Billy Beane for fame and adulation in the Bay Area and national sporting media--he already has a movie among his credentials.


But a movie and Brad Pitt is one thing and a World Series is another.


With the A's picking up two prized starting pitchers to an already heady pitching staff, the move by Beane is not only the talk of the local sporting scene but indeed the entire nation.


Except on KNBR. I forgot.


So, I'm just thinking: say the A's go nuts--kick it up a notch and go to the post-season and win a World Series?

Moneyball 2 anyone?

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Mike Krukow Makes Fun of Padres Pitcher Using Safety Cap on KNBR Morning Show

 See this guy?  He was the subject of a dumbass comment from Giants and KNBR house commentator, Mike Krukow.

Listen to this dumbass Krukow on Wednesday's "Murph and Mac" show beginning at 08: 30 after. Mind-boggling.




Alex Torres, who pitches for the San Diego Padres, saw his teammate take a line drive off the head a year ago in Tampa. It scared the bejesus out of him. He decided to wear the MLB-approved safety hat. It may look goofy but it could also save a life.


Too bad Krukow didn't get the memo:


"I don't care if I had 6 or 7 concussions, I wouldn't wear it," said Krukow. (cackling in background).


Dumbass.









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

 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. 
































































































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*Bill King book

Bill King Doesn't Need The Hall of Fame For Affirmation

 Does Bill King belong in the HOF? Of course. But the thing is, were Bill alive today, he'd be laughing and saying, "enough, please, just enough," along with a few other coarse things not appropriate but we won't go there.

 

The thing is ...BILL KING doesn't need the baseball HOF, or any hall for that matter. And Bill, again, would be the first to say that. Those of us who had the pleasure and honor of listening to the master for many of those years knew Bill was Bill and Bill doesn't need any damn affirmation to be the legend that he is and was. Damn the awards, the accolades, the fake, pimped-up, vote-stuffing, contests to get Bill in some kind of artificial contest.

 

I was fortunate to get to know Bill and beyond being just a great broadcaster, a real announcer, Bill King was one of nicest people in the business. He was gracious, kind, had an incredibly terrific sense of humor and was the consummate professional in and out of the booth. A gentleman.

 

Awards are great. But Bill King not being elected to be in the HOF doesn't mask the affinity nor diminish Bill's legacy in the history of the play-by-play business. All of us who listened to him courtside doing the Warriors; the Raiders, the A's, Bill being Bill was good enough for us. We don't need, nor did Bill, any superficial award--his work transcended any sort of award. Bill is up there in heaven looking down and laughing. I'm pretty damn sure.

 

The HOF needs Bill King more than Bill King needed the HOF.

 

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Your Annual 'What The Hell is Amy G Doing On SF Giants TV' Post From The Neurotic Blogger

  Really, I thought, Amy Gutierrez, ("Amy G") is too easy to bitch and moan about because she's, well, Amy G and what more can be said about the utter cluelessness that IS Amg G and more specifically, Amy G doing Amy G on Giants Comcast telecasts but since the season is over for the Giants, I felt compelled to bitch and moan about the Amester because that's what I do here.

Keep in mind I know the Giants have to have an Amy G --seems all big sports teams need a house organ only Amy has been getting more painful to watch and therefore the need to get out my Amy G is a pain-in-the-ass post is way past due.

Don't call me a woman basher. I've been in Amy G's camp not too long ago--I get that her gig is basically a shout-out to the booster club and that she's Larry Baer's good-luck charm, really I get that.

It's just the voice. The damn nasal, sweetly voice. Kruk and Kuip's exciting, (sure,) Let's go down to Amy G in section 110 and then Amy G does Amy G. Priceless sometimes because I get the feeling Amy doesn't know how many of us cringe when her reports begin and end,...well, when they end, a momentary glee sets in until the next Amy G moment is beckoning.  OK, fine, I know the voice she has no control over and I'm hip that she's not Dana Bash in front of the White House portico giving us updates on ObamaCare  and government shutdowns, again, get it.

Yet this is supposedly a big market. #6 to be exact. There was a time that even the idea of an Amy G even smelling a microphone would have caused some of the local pine to have hemorrhoids. It might be a generational thing. I doubt the Amy G phenomena would have evolved if the Giants were still at Candlestick. I don't think the fan base back then could tolerate an Amy G. Amy G represents Giants 2.0 The old crew were more Christianne Amanpour. They were grunge-central. Amy G is more Old Navy.

Amy G, I'm told, is a swell woman. Nice lady. Cool. She's probably a delight over a tuna and rye at Perry's and she's damn well important. Hell, they gave her a ring! I just hope she knows the people in Section 110 don't necessarily represent the mosh pit inside Pete's Tavern. OK, and now I. AM. outta. here.

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