...I recall 'cuz I ripped him in an email they read on the air, about the lack of usher control over the view-blocking promenaders--esp in the upper deck.  He wasn't happy about the Q, which made two of us.  

Typical SF-snootery to schedule something inconvenient for the A's, and then wonder out loud why they didn't crawl in on their knees in gratitude.  Hell, Baer didn't even show up live--if I was the Giants looking at their shitty season-to-come, I'd sure be cultivating my base.      

but did hear him mention later again that the A's weren't inclined to participate.

was on ESPN radio this morning, guess he didnt want to talk to KQED.

of the forum from time to time.  Generally get on my Birkenstock's, and organic cotton capri cut sweat pants before listening.

Dear Michael:  

I have to wonder about your negativity towards the A's, as repeatedly on today's show.  If there is a team in any sport whose fan base should tightly correspond to your public, it's the A's.  They are David to the Giants' Goliath, Apple to the Yankees' Microsoft and good old American ingenuity over the Power of Money.  Surely your erudite self knows this after Michael Lewis' book.  The A's have a system, and they work it to excellent effect--consistently outperforming both leagues, notably including your boys by the Bay.  The A's are the Thinking Fan's Team.

Please get with it, Michael--the Giants' gross overpayment for the services of Mr. Zito ($500,000 per START??) is the last nail in their coffin.  They may be carried this year by the All-Star Game and that pharmacological oddity who bats third, but they will otherwise be dismal this year, and worse over the next six as they pay the mortgage on their desperation moves.  By that time, the A's will inhabit Geek Heaven in Fremont, outdraw their rivals, and continue to thrive.  Imagine what Billy Beane could do with Brian Sabean's payroll!  In a few years, you won't have to imagine it.  

Now would be a good time to start appreciating your friends in the East Bay--and maybe Even scheduling your show for a date when they're in-town.  

Regards,

http://kqed02.streamguys.us/anon.kqe...

Skip the first several minutes--that mealy-mouthed Larry Baer is a smarmy doofus.  

As a few ANers know, I'm a producer at KQED Radio, though I don't work for Forum.  So here's a bit of behind-the-scenes perspective, for what it's worth...but I'm speaking purely for myself, not the station.

The show was on yesterday because yesterday was Opening Day....no big conspiracy to slight the A's, just the luck of the schedule that they were opening out of town with a day game.  The producer for Forum who was lining up guests tells me he tried very hard to get someone from the A's to participate -- he wasn't particular about who it was, they could have been on via phone from Seattle, they could have been on for only part of the hour -- but no dice.   It's worth noting that last year's Forum program on opening day had SuSlu and no Giants beat writer.

Last year's Forum season opener

Blez has also been on KQED Radio more than once.  And as for the Giants buying local underwriting, the A's have done the same in the past, and may be again this year for all I know -- program people are very well insulated from fundraising.