I had the pleasure to be at this broadcast. When Charlie Findley threw out the orange baseballs, I caught one and when I brought it down, I came out of my hand and my friend Steve Hamm got it. We lost Steve RIP
Finley I think went on Johnny's show specifically because he knew he'd be able to trash Bowie Kuhn without getting any kind of pushback because Johnny, for all his greatness, really knew NOTHING about baseball. He was not a fan of the game and that's why he would only ask the most generic kind of questions and nothing about players, teams etc.
He operated in a much different era. He could not have afforded to own a team now. If he could have seen what players today are making, he would have had a stroke.
Charlie had a lot of good ideas. I play stratomatic fantasy baseball and my games are 6 innings. if extra innings farthest base runner advance wins--I've had about 10 extra inning games and not one has gone more than 7 innings. I only need to find a winner, not entertain a crowd or pay concession workers.
There are no two ways about this one, which is that having World Series games start on Saturdays, or Sundays causes way too many problems, because of the fact that now the baseball season doesn't get over until November @ times, which is just way too long, & that is way too long. The next one that there is artificial turf, & that is a claim that one may make involving how it creates more action in the game, which is against the very nature of the game of baseball. Then there is the designated hitter, which is in substance a claim that only someone who enjoys the impaired game of baseball can enjoy, which in fact explains just how the elements of the game are lost. Now this is an important factor to focus on, which is that the advantage always needs to be to the defense, because that is how games are won. Make no mistake about this one, which is that changing the game has led to problems with steroid use, which is having harmful impact for the past decades, & there extremely serious problems with baseball, which is a team sport, & then trying to deal with all of the aspects of the me generation, which without question is the reason why baseball is dying, & yes talking as though this were an endangered specy is absolutely by no means an understatement. There is no question about it, & that is that some youngster may be influenced to think that either the designated hitter is blind in one eye, or both eyes, or the pitcher is blind in one or both eyes, which is wrong, because there is absolutely no way that anyone is going to be playing real baseball blind in either eye. Make no mistake about this one, which is that the only league that it is logical to have a designated hitter in is beep baseball, because it is where they have buzzer bases, they have sighted umpires using whistles, with a sighted pitcher, & a sighted catcher, where every player batting wears a blindfold, & yes the designated hitter is used for both the pitcher, & catcher. Now it is true to mention that since someone is all about the game being changed, then they need to carefully consider the source, because this is right to mention all of the facts against the designated hitter in baseball, which no one understands, which is not good!
This is really great quality and a wonderful interview with Oakland A's owner Charles Finley. Thank you so much for sharing this historical treasure!
He was way before his time. I loved the guy..
You meant way ahead of his time?
I had the pleasure to be at this broadcast. When Charlie Findley threw out the orange baseballs, I caught one and when I brought it down, I came out of my hand and my friend Steve Hamm got it. We lost Steve RIP
Did you get the ball back?
My dad was Charlie's Optometrist and I grew up with his kids. They had the most awesome, real caboose in their yard to play around in.
Charlie Was 57 or so when this was filmed... looks 70. Insane
I actually like the orange baseball. It would make it easier for fans, umpires, and batters. Also, it’s just so fun looking!
Al Davis and Charles Finley
Kings of Oakland The Ghost Town
Finley I think went on Johnny's show specifically because he knew he'd be able to trash Bowie Kuhn without getting any kind of pushback because Johnny, for all his greatness, really knew NOTHING about baseball. He was not a fan of the game and that's why he would only ask the most generic kind of questions and nothing about players, teams etc.
Looks like Ted Baxter from MTM show.
He operated in a much different era. He could not have afforded to own a team now. If he could have seen what players today are making, he would have had a stroke.
These stupid owners he was so right he knew what was coming got out the business at the right time
Charlie had a lot of good ideas. I play stratomatic fantasy baseball and my games are 6 innings. if extra innings farthest base runner advance wins--I've had about 10 extra inning games and not one has gone more than 7 innings. I only need to find a winner, not entertain a crowd or pay concession workers.
Orange baseball would be terrible
What was the decision in the court case?
I believe all tnese deals were nullified
Kinda look like bobby knight
Or Ted Knight.😄
There are no two ways about this one, which is that having World Series games start on Saturdays, or Sundays causes way too many problems, because of the fact that now the baseball season doesn't get over until November @ times, which is just way too long, & that is way too long. The next one that there is artificial turf, & that is a claim that one may make involving how it creates more action in the game, which is against the very nature of the game of baseball. Then there is the designated hitter, which is in substance a claim that only someone who enjoys the impaired game of baseball can enjoy, which in fact explains just how the elements of the game are lost. Now this is an important factor to focus on, which is that the advantage always needs to be to the defense, because that is how games are won. Make no mistake about this one, which is that changing the game has led to problems with steroid use, which is having harmful impact for the past decades, & there extremely serious problems with baseball, which is a team sport, & then trying to deal with all of the aspects of the me generation, which without question is the reason why baseball is dying, & yes talking as though this were an endangered specy is absolutely by no means an understatement. There is no question about it, & that is that some youngster may be influenced to think that either the designated hitter is blind in one eye, or both eyes, or the pitcher is blind in one or both eyes, which is wrong, because there is absolutely no way that anyone is going to be playing real baseball blind in either eye. Make no mistake about this one, which is that the only league that it is logical to have a designated hitter in is beep baseball, because it is where they have buzzer bases, they have sighted umpires using whistles, with a sighted pitcher, & a sighted catcher, where every player batting wears a blindfold, & yes the designated hitter is used for both the pitcher, & catcher. Now it is true to mention that since someone is all about the game being changed, then they need to carefully consider the source, because this is right to mention all of the facts against the designated hitter in baseball, which no one understands, which is not good!