News
Korach to be honored for generosity
Radio announcer's program helps Oakland Athletic League
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
05/26/09 9:53 PM ET
OAKLAND -- Ken Korach didn't start his "A's Winning for the Community" program to bring attention to himself.Moved by the legacies of local baseball legends such as Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, Rickey Henderson, Dave Stewart and Joe Morgan, Korach, Oakland's lead radio play-by-play man, founded the program to do his part in keeping the magic alive.
Specifically, to raise money for the financially strapped baseball programs in the Oakland Athletic League.
He's done quite well in that regard, too. Last season, he helped raise $27,000 to fund equipment, uniforms and field maintenances.
Thus, attention is coming Korach's way. He'll be honored by the Oakland Unified School District at its board meeting Wednesday night.
Marty Lurie, host of "Right Off the Bat," which precedes every A's game on KTRB Radio (860 AM), also will be cited for his promotional efforts and other contributions to Korach's program.
Korach on Tuesday initially said he's not quite sure how to feel about being honored for his altruism, but after a few moments of thought, he looked at it through the prism of his program.
"I guess any PR you can get for the cause is a good thing," Korach said while working the clubhouse before the second game of a three-game series against the visiting Mariners at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. "It's obviously an honor, but more important, maybe it gets the word out a little bit more."
Now in his 14th season of A's radio, Korach donated $7,500 to the program last season -- $100 for each of the club's victories, and the A's matched his donation. Local businesses and individuals provided the remaining contributions, some with a one-off check and some through a charity poker tournament held at The Warehouse, a local watering hole.
Korach, who has again pledged $100 for every A's win, said another charity event will be held, but details have not yet been fleshed out. For information on how to make an individual donation to the program, visit the community relations page of oaklandathletics.com.
Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
