Oakland A’s broadcaster Ray Fosse working in the A’s broadcast booth seen in Mar 8, 2015 photo at Mesa in Spring Training will be taking time away from the team to receive medical treatment for cancer (photo by Michael Zagaris Oakland A’s team photographer)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s announced today that longtime broadcaster Ray Fosse would be stepping down from the microphone to undergo treatment for cancer.

Everyone at Sports Radio Service is sending their thoughts and prayers to Ray and his family for his speedy recovery. Ray’s family is requesting privacy during this very difficult time.

Ray has been the color analyst with the A’s since 1986. He is a two-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and Gold Glove award winner. He broke in with the Cleveland Indians in September 1967 and had a 12-year career in Major League Baseball.

Fosse is most remember for the 1970 All Star Game when a speedy Cincinnati Reds of the National League Charlie Hustle Pete Rose was rounding third and didn’t put on the breaks when a throw to Fosse who was catching for the American League at the time caught and dropped the ball after Rose had collided with him at the plate. Rose’s effort was counted as a run on the scoreboard. Fosse was injured on the play and it was that play that he felt shoulder pain for decades after.

Fosse later went onto play for some great World Series teams with the Oakland A’s in 1973 and 1974 as starting catcher and helped signal call with some of the greatest pitchers including Jim Catfish Hunter, Ken Hotlzman, and Vida Blue. These teams won those World Series in 73 and 74 and Fosse was instrumental in the success in handling those A’s winning pitchers.

Fosse had become part of the Oakland broadcast network in 1986 through the present, he works television and radio. He worked the radio side with Ken Korach and Vince Cotroneo and television with Glen Kuiper, Kuiper’s brother Duane who calls the play by play on television for the San Francisco Giants had to take some time off because he had to be treated for chemotherapy during this season.

Fosse was working the A’s and Los Angeles Angels game Sunday in Anaheim and felt ill and had to leave the game.