Baby steps, everyone. Baby steps.
It's officially Day 1 of the A's life on an all-sports radio station. The move to KTRB-860 had the promise of additional sports-related programming, and that promise is starting to be fulfilled. For the time being, all of the non-A's programming is syndicated and not from Bay Area-specific. That makes it difficult to compete with very SF-centric KNBR-680, but it's a ton better than the awkward marriage that was A's and "hot talk." Interestingly, the new brand image is XTRA SPORTS 860.
Programming is cobbled together from various networks. I can't comment on the "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire" as I tend to stay away from morning shows. "2 Live Stews" is the popular ATL-based show with brothers Ryan and Doug Stewart, who also do a weekly stint of ESPN2's "First Take" TV show opposite one-time Merc columnist Skip Bayless.
The afternoon stints are populated by Fox Sports Radio shows. "Myers & Hartman" (featuring Vic the Brick) is the more nationally-oriented show, and as you might expect, Chris Myers makes it a snoozefest. That's followed by PMS or the "Petros and Money Show." PMS has often been more LA-focused, though that may have had more to do with the show's home being longtime Lakers flagship KLAC. I'm afraid that it only works for fans of the Lakers, Dodgers, or USC football.
Rob Barr hosts Sports Byline at 7 on non-game weeknights. It's a throwback to an era that wasn't dominated by yelling. The late night spot goes to KNBR castaway Chris Townsend.
The afternoon slots are ripe for local programming, especially to challenge KNBR's drive time duo of Ralph Barbieri and Tom Tolbert. I still like the show but it's getting stale. It's been awhile since KNBR launched The Ticket 1050 as an alternative to 680 with an East Bay bent, including Raiders games. That experiment failed within a couple years, it'll be interesting to see how KTRB tries to re-establish the alternative.
This is also an open thread for those who want to talk about ballpark stuff.
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Non-ballpark related comment: Could someone please explain to me the logic of the Harden/Gaudin for Sean Gallagher trade? It made no sense to me at the time, and continues to make so sense to me. Gaudin for Gallagher seemed pretty much a push, and I just don't see throwing in Harden basically for free. Even as a salary dump, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, as Harden wasn't making that much.
actually, it was Harden for Gallagher, Murton, Josh Donaldson and Patterson.
Gaudin (who has never been as good as people pretend) was a throw in the Cubs asked for in order to do the deal. The Cubs asked for Gaudin because they were leery of Harden's ability to pitch a whole season without injuries, which was also why there was a small market of suitors for Harden. Gaudin was the insurance policy for the Cubs.
As far as this season goes, Harden as a 4.76 FIP after 8 starts in which he has averaged just over 5 innings per... Hardly what his reputation makes him out to be.
Won't it be fun when KTRB allows us all to call in to local hosts and talk about this stuff?
Jeffrey,
Well, Harden's not off to his best start, but 4-2, 1.37 WHIP, 53 strikeouts aren't bad. The fact that he stayed healthy all last year (and had a great year, both in Chicago and Oakland) and has been healthy this year is promising for his future; he's only 27. I think if he stay's healthy, the ERA will come down.
Gaudin may or may not be as good as people think, but do you rate Gallagher as a significant upgrade?
I'd forgotten about those other guys you mentioned, but they don't make me feel that much better about the deal. It still seems to me we trades a potential superstar for a pu pu platter of marginal to average players.
What do you think was Beane's primary motivation? Did he rate Gallagher's potential that highly? Was he mainly looking to pick up some bats? And how do you rate the trade one year later?
That's an incredibly weak starting lineup for KTRB. Myers/Hartman were already been tried by KNBR 1050, and were replaced. As mentioned Petros & Money is a like a local LA show. Most of that programming is already available on Sirius/XM anyway.
The time to do this was a few months ago, when Dan Patrick's show wasn't on the air here (now it's time-shifted on 1050) and Tony Bruno's new show was still in the planning stages. At least they'd have something to build on. Or come up with one decent, local show to take on the KNBR morning doofuses.
ML,
Any chance we'll see the Raiders or Sharks move over to 860 in the future? The starting lineup might be weak, but again, its only the beginning. I like it!
Will KTRB still be carrying Stanford football this Fall?
Hey Anon (bartleby?): Rich Harden pitched 148 innings last year, spent time on the DL (in April) and missed two starts at the end of the season with a stiff shoulder. That is hardly "healthy all year." I think team's can legitimately expect to get 130 above average innings from Harden, not the kind of work the A's need out of an ace.
I rate the trade as incomplete one year later... Josh Donaldson is doing well in the minors (801 OPS in Double A and plays a premium position (catcher). Matt Murton was traded out of the clogged outfield and brought back an infielder who could someday be a decent utility guy. Eric Patterson is roster filler.
Gallagher v. Gaudin... I'll take Gallagher only because he has less MLB service than Gaudin and costs less. Both Gaudin and Gallagher have real trouble throwing strikes (Gaudin is walking over 6 guys per 9 innings this year, ugh).
In the end, it comes down to what the A's get out of Donaldson and Gallagher in the next few years. I know this, they will get more out of those two than the Cubs will get out of Gaudin and if Harden follows his pattern and gives them 120-140 innings this year and goes away next the A's will get more out of Gallagher in the long run. Which would make it a good trade... if not, it was a bad one. :)
How is that for a cop out?
Gaudin is in San Diego now.
Gaudin is in San Diego after being cut loose by the Cubs... which is why I know the A's will get mroe out of Donaldson and Gallagher than the Cubs will get out of Gaudin.
Harden had a shoulder injury this winter, and thus far this year, he has not looked the same. He is throwing low 90's, not high 90's, and not lasting very long. Looked shaky when I've seen him at Wrigley.
It was a bad situation no matter how you slice it. The team wasn't in the position to wait Harden's injuries out. If they trade Harden, they have to get a starting arm in return. I think the mistake is that they made a deal with the pitching-poor Cubs in the first place. What other arm could they have gotten from the Cubs? Sean Marshall?
A couple weeks before the trade I got a "sneak peek" at Gallagher when he started against Tim Lincecum at China Basin. I wasn't impressed then, and he appears to have regressed in the meantime. BUT he's only 23. Stop yanking him around, stick him in the 4 spot the whole season and let him figure it out. It might be the best and only way for him.
I got into my car and turned on the radio and heard, you're listening to KTRB all sports. It went right over my head. Didnt even think twice about it, LOL. This is good, very good.
A season with Gallagher in the 4 spot is a long season indeed. Let's hope there is progress made and soon. What about Gio? I think he deserves a shot... throw some flippin strikes. Put Cahill and Anderson in Sacramento. Duke, Braden, Outman, Gallagher and Gio. Hopefully the last three learn to throw strikes, by some miracle.
Is Rob Barr the guy who used to do the show on KSFO in the 80s after A's games? Or was that Ron Barr?
That's the same Ron Barr.
I know all the statistical analysis doesn't necessarily support my viewpoint, but at least I used to look forward to every one of Harden's starts (that goes for Haren too). Whereas I'd rather not see Gallagher pitch for the A's again.
So, Chavy might be calling it a Career...
Hopefully, this new format works. Because if it doesn't, I could easily see KTRB switching to Spanish and leaving the A's back at square one. (Isn't it just a one year deal?)
Problem is the Bay Area probably cannot support THREE sports stations, even though 1050 counts as only 1/2. Perhaps 1050 ends up switching to spanish, which is what it was long ago as KOFY before James Gabbert bought it.
As for the team, I have to think a lot of the A's planning for 2009 was predicated on finalizing the Fremont stadium. As a result, Wolff and Beane took some gambles they ordinarily would not have figuring that if it didn't work, they'd at least have a groundbreaking to offset it.
San Jose fans had better hope that the Giants have a decent year revenue wise, for I still think that the MLB owners will take a good hard look at that before they fiddle with TR's. (especially since the National League has two more owners than the AL)
How is 1050 only 1/2 of a sports station? With KNBR committed to broadcasting three pro teams, they needed somewhere to put the conflicting events (and the cash cow Razor and Mr. T when 680 is busy). Hard to see 1050 going anywhere.
Hard to see 860 doing much either, at least with their current offerings.
Georob--Gin'ts revenues may be important but even more important is the $32M welfare payment aka revenue share payment that many of those owners provided to the small market team known as the Oakland A's--
Most worry about their own pocket books at the end of the day--like the Gint's did when they supported the move of the Expo's to DC---only Angelos didn't support it--
KTRB has been working on moving into the Bay Area market and this format change for 2 years. It wouldn't make sense for them to turn on a dime within a year, especially since their second transmitter isn't even in operation yet. I'm uncertain as to whether or not the Bay Area can support a third sportstalk station. Nevertheless, I'm glad Pappas is giving it a shot.
I think if 860 could get some other local teams (Sharks, Raiders, Earthquakes to name a few), then you'll start to see more local programming. Perhaps the SJ Merc should jump in with their own version (albeit radio) of "Chronicle Live" to counter the now SF-centric sports coverage of the Bay Area. R.M., where will the new transmitter be located? Perhaps Loma Prieta?
Rob, Rob, Rob, let me count the ways. In this economy, I think revenue's should be down for ALL MLB teams. That being said, you seem to believe that the whole MLB world revolves around the Giants (among other things you believe). Well guess what, IT DOESN'T! And as anon 8:31 stated so brilliantly, MLB owners are more interested in NOT paying the A's welfare than the Giants possibly loosing a couple of sponsors and suite holders. $32 million R.M.!? Simply amazing!
ML, are you familiar with the Indiana Pacers arena Conseco Fieldhouse? I've heard this arena has a tier of mini suites like Cisco Field will have. Is this the type of look Cisco mini suites would have?
http://www.mswoods.com/in/indianapolis/Pictures/Indianapolis_Sports/Conseco_Field_House2.jpg
Are you sure about that Jesse? I checked the Conseco Fieldhouse Premium Seating website and there's no mention of mini suites.
The Wolffs visted numerous arenas all over the country for ideas, so it wouldn't surprise me if the mini suite concept came from there.
I guess they call it club seating. My question is aestheticly would the tiers of Cisco field look similar to Conseco field house with that entire tier of club seating between the first and second tier? Cisco would have an entire tier of mini suites between the first and second levels.
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