Bay Space media legend Sam Spear handed away Oct. 23 at age 72 following a prolonged sickness. Spear, born Nov. 3, 1948, in Oakland and raised in Alameda, was a lifelong horse racing fan. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Alameda and San Francisco State, he shortly grew to become a significant fixture at Thoroughbred racetracks all through Northern California.
Spear was employed within the racing business for over 4 a long time. He served as media relations director at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows, aiding media personnel, horsemen, entrance aspect employees, house owners, breeders, horseplayers, and followers. Spear totally loved serving to others and was dedicated to creating the absolute best expertise for these he encountered on and off the observe. His affable persona shortly made him a “fan favourite” amongst followers and horsemen, and he was typically seen chatting it up with turf membership patrons and railbirds alike.
A detailed good friend and confidant of legendary San Francisco native Joe DiMaggio, Spear typically drove “Joe D.” to and from each Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields and ensured he was properly taken care of all through many race days in each the press field and Turf Membership.
One can be onerous pressed to search out a person who did extra to advertise Northern California racing than Spear. He hosted and produced Bay Space racing’s widespread race replay present on KTSF-Channel 26 that started in 1978 and ran till 2017. He additionally hosted “On the Monitor with Sam Spear,” a weekly radio program each Sunday morning that attracted a big following of listeners and a few of racing’s largest names as visitors on the present. Spear had contacts with each newspaper and information station within the Bay Space, and efficiently promoted horse racing via these channels.
Sam was an absolute legend and terrific man. He beloved his fast fireplace one-liners and insults and took it proper again along with his signature cackle. As kind-hearted as they got here and past sort and useful. RIP Sam and thanks for the whole lot! https://t.co/2Q0yquZKuO
— Larry Collmus (@larrycollmus) October 24, 2021
Every time leaving a voice mail, he would invariably tag every message with the admonition, “And we’ll see YOU on the races.”
Spear was described as a “human encyclopedia” for all issues horse racing and Bay Space sports activities—Giants, A’s, 49ers, Raiders, Warriors, and extra. His uncanny means to recollect particular races, names, dates, and statistics was second to none. Spear was a pure storyteller and loved sharing recollections from the previous utilizing humor, wit, and allure. He was additionally a giant supporter of the youthful generations and a mentor to many journalists, tv/radio personalities, and race callers who’ve gone on to be very profitable of their respective fields of labor.
A funeral Mass for Spear is scheduled for Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. PT at St. Isadore Catholic Church in Danville, Calif., the place Spear had resided for the previous 20 years along with his longtime associate, Barbara O’Neill.
