I have no blood relation to Ralph Barbieri as far as I know. However, when he died this week after a battle with Parkinson’s, it felt like losing a distant family member.
Ralph was in many ways the voice of KNBR from the mid-1980’s until 2012. When you flipped the channel to AM radio, he always greeted you with his unique voice, interview style and passion for Bay Area sports. I met Ralph one time in person, at a pro tennis event in San Jose. He was friendly and … not surprisingly … talkative.
One of the cooler things about sports writing is you’ve never stuck in the office very long. You drive to a feature or to a game — sometimes a few hours if it’s the playoffs. Depending on the host or topic on KNBR, I might listen to music instead. If it was Ralph, there was a good chance I was tuned in.
During Ralph’s tenure at KNBR, I probably lived in six or seven different cities in Northern California. The job sometimes changed but my radio listening habit never did.
To this day, I still repeat one of “The Razor’s” favorite lines: “Two things can be equally true.” That’s a good lesson, especially these days when the country is so divided.
If it was Ralph and former Giants General Manager Brian Sabean, it was must-listen-to radio. Most of the time, Sabean kept his cool but occasionally, Ralph’s long-winded interview questions and pointed opinions rattled the executive. Sabean occasionally hung up on Ralph.
I vividly remember when Ralph grilled Sabean about not signing Vladimir Guerrero and why he didn’t pair him with Barry Bonds. I also recall Sabean not liking Ralph’s questions about embattled closer Armando Benitez.
Ralph once called Bonds a “punk” on the air. KNBR asked Ralph to do the first interview with the slugger when he signed with the Giants and Ralph admitted his remark and explained it. According to his San Francisco Chronicle obituary, Bonds said “I have much respect for you being willing to say that to my face.” The two developed a strong relationship during Bonds’ tenure in San Francisco.
Much like a family member, Ralph could get on your nerves. I remember his O.J. Simpson trial rants becoming tiresome. When the Warriors weren’t good (and those were most seasons) Ralph’s criticisms seemed like low-hanging fruit.
However, despite his sometimes prickly personality, Ralph never struck me as someone who ranted just to make noise. I can’t say the same for talking heads like Stephen A. Smith or Skip Bayless.
According to his obit in the Chronicle, Ralph had two cardinal rules of broadcasting: 1. Don’t say anything about anyone that you wouldn’t be willing to say to their face. 2. Don’t sensationalize the subject or give a false opinion just to stir the pot and make controversy for controversy’s sake.
Given his extensive educational background, Ralph would have made an excellent lawyer. Luckily for the Bay Area, he picked a profession where we could all enjoy his colorful takes.
When KNBR paired Ralph with ex-Warriors forward Tom Tolbert for “The Razor and Mr. T” show in 1996, it was a match made in heaven (OK, maybe Hawaii). Tolbert’s easy-going nature fit perfectly with Ralph’s impassioned personality. Tolbert choked up Monday talking about his former partner. Rightly so.
This kind of column is always difficult to end, so I’ll let Ralph’s parting words conclude it:
“Angels fly because they take themselves lightly.”
