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Battle of the Bay
Battle of the Bay

Battle of the Bay

Bashing A's, Thrilling Giants, and the Earthquake World Series
By Gary Peterson, Foreword by Tony La Russa

SPORTS & RECREATION

224 Pages, 6 x 9

Formats: Trade Paper, Mobipocket, EPUB, PDF

Trade Paper, $16.95 (US $16.95) (CA $18.95)

ISBN 9781600789335

Rights: WOR

Triumph Books (Apr 2014)

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Overview

1989 was a season of both triumph and tragedy for the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, still marking baseball’s only cross-Bay series. But 1989 is remembered as much for the devastating earthquake that struck moments before Game 3 of the World Series as it is for the exploits of Mark McGwire, Will Clark, and other stars. In this history, Gary Peterson combines his firsthand observations with meticulous research and new interviews with players, coaches, and broadcasters to offer a fresh perspective of that unforgettable year. From Dave Dravecky’s emotional return to the mound after cancer surgery and his gruesome injury in his next start to highlight-reel performances by Clark, McGwire, Jose Canseco, and Rickey Henderson to Dave Stewart reaching out to rescue workers after the earthquake, Battle of the Bay captures the agony and excitement that surrounded the Bay Area in the summer and fall of 1989.

Author Biography

Gary Peterson
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Gary Peterson is a staff writer for the Bay Area News Group. He was previously the sports columnist at the Contra Costa Times for 25 years, during which he covered the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants throughout the 1989 season. During his career, he has covered 13 Super Bowls, five World Series, four Olympic Games, and one Final Four, winning multiple Associated Press Sports Editors awards as a top-10 sports columnist. He lives in Concord, California. Tony La Russa is a former manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland A's, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He won three World Series during his managing career, including two with the Cardinals. He lives in Alamo, California.

Media

Battle of the Bay: Bashing A's, Thrilling Giants, and the Earthquake World Series was reviewed on the Post Game on Yahoo Sports.
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Gary Peterson disussed Battle of the Bay: Bashing A's, Thrilling Giants, and the Earthquake World Series on 97.5 The Game.
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Past Events

Aug
23
Gary Peterson - Battle of the Bay ›
San Jose, CA
1:00pm
Jul
19
Gary Peterson - Battle of the Bay ›
Dublin, CA
1:00pm
Jun
14
Gary Peterson - Battle of the Bay ›
San Jose, CA
1:00pm
Jun
07
Gary Peterson - Battle of the Bay ›
Emeryville, CA
1:00pm
Jun
01
Gary Peterson - Battle of the Bay ›
San Jose, CA
1:00pm
Apr
12
Gary Peterson - Battle of the Bay ›
Walnut Creek, CA
1:00pm

Press Releases

Battle of the Bay:

Bashing A’s, Thrilling Giants, and the Earthquake World Series

By Gary Peterson/Foreword by Tony La Russa

 

Publicity Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312-676-4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

 

The 1989 World Series brings up mixed emotions for San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletic fans who witnessed the halt of the Fall Classic.  After a very successful start to the World Series, and before the first pitch of Game 3 could even take flight, a 6.9 – level Loma Prieta earthquake struck the Bay Area, crippling the Bay Bridge and the I-880 Highway. This period, known as the Battle of the Bay, resulted in a day full of tragedy and triumph.

 

In Battle of the Bay: Bashing A’s, Thrilling Giants, and the Earthquake World Series, Gary Peterson, who covered Game 3, tells the stories of a successful season, filled with his own firsthand accounts. Page through Peterson’s book and any baseball fan will be inclined to find some unforgettable interviews fresh with perspective. Some of the stories include:

 

  • The win-or-go-home moment that the 1988 Oakland Athletics embraced with relish en route to winning 104 regular-season games – second most in their 88-year history
  • Incidents involving the need for some in-house humor following the sometimes tumultuous relationship between MLB - MVP Jose Canseco and Manager Tony La Russa
  • The swirling trade wind rumors that plagued the Giants during their season
  • Tony La Russa’s second chance at the World Series
  • The 15 seconds of terror that shook the Bay Area. Accompanied with the valiant efforts of many to help the wounded.

 

The endearing story of perseverance and determination in Battle of the Bay: Bashing A’s, Thrilling Giants, and the Earthquake World Series sheds new light on both the memorable performances and the trials and tribulations that faced those present for the earthquake that stopped the World Series. Peterson lays it all on the line and shares stories and insights about a seemingly tragic end to a solid season. 

 

About the Author

Gary Peterson wrote a sports column for the Contra Costa Times from 1981 to 2011, covering Bay Area sports as well as national and global events, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, Final Four, NBA and NHL playoffs, and the earthquake that postponed Game 3 of the 1989 World Series. A graduate of San Jose State University, he won multiple Associated Press Sports Editors awards. He grew up in Concord, California, where he lives with his wife, Ann, and daughters, Dana and Carolyn. He is currently a reporter for the Bay Area News Group.

 

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