Billy Martin former Oakland A’s manager and inset the book written by Dale Tafoya “Billy Ball” (photo from Athletics Nation)
Memories of Oakland – Billy Ball Baseball (#3 in a Series)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
Amaury Pi-González
Somehow the 1980 Billy Ball era is forgotten by baseball, unless you are a real A’s fan in the East Bay. The colorful Billy Martin only managed the Oakland As for three seasons but it left a remarkable place in the history of the Athletics franchise. Billy Martin was born in Berkeley, he was an original resident of Alameda County and once was a passionate and feisty player who later became manager in the major leagues.
Billy Martin always loved Latino players. When I asked him during an interview he told me that “Latinos play with a lot of passion for the game, that passion that I had when I played”. During those years the A’s did not win a World Series or produced a real winner but there is no doubt Billy, a real character, left his fingerprints in the history of this franchise.
Billy Martin was the second baseman for the New York Yankees during the early 1950’s Yankee dynasty, winning titles in 1950,1951,1952.1953 and 1956. He played on great winning teams. As a manager he hated to lose and he demanded the most from his players.
As manager Billy was unique, as a player an even more eccentric as a manager. He managed the Twins, Tigers, Rangers, Athletics and Yankees. A 16-year managerial career and was successful with a record of 1,253 games won and 1,013 lost.
More than once when his team was in a real bad slump he will pick up his lineup out of hat. Billy Martin was always getting into trouble, at a bar after a game, or by kicking dirt on umpires. I used to call him “Una bola de Fuego” trans- A Ball of Fire.
During Spring Training in 1980 my broadcast partner Julio González and yours truly went to the then famous Pink Pony in Scottsdale. Julio and I invited Tony Armas, the A’s Venezuelan-born right fielder, a very nice mild manner guy.
As we three, approached an enter, just a few steps inside, Armas told us “no, no aqui, vamos a otro lado” trans – “no, not here, let’s go someplace else”. Tony noticed that at a table there was Billy, with his coaches, Clete Boyer, Lee Walls and pitching coach Art Fowler. He didn’t want to go and eat there. Why? He explained to us later, Billy could “start” something and he didn’t wanted any part of it.
You might call it respect or afraid of your manager, or both, whatever, Billy brought that type of heat, his presence, he was like a Frank Sinatra type of guy, could get mad and spark something.
The Haas family bought the A’s that year and one of the best moves they made was to bring aboard Marketing guru Andy Dolich who used Billy Martin’s personality to the advantage of the team. A Billy Ball campaign which ultimately won Mr.Dolich a CLIO advertising award.
A CLIO is an annual award in advertising that recognizes innovation and excellence in advertising, aka an Oscar in advertising. Because of Billy Martin’s managing style, Andy Dolich recognized that was an asset to the organization and launched the Billy Ball Baseball campaign.
Billy Martin would later retire with the Yankees, whom he managed three more times, as owner George Steinbrenner (another character) fired him three times. Billy Martin died in an automobile accident in upstate New York on Christmas night in 1989. Although he managed the Oakland Athletics for just three years, to me Billy Martin is an unforgettable man of baseball, talented, explosive and always entertaining.
Amaury is the lead announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and KATD 990 Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and visit my website: amaury-pi-gonzalez.com
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