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Ray Ratto has been a San Francisco Bay Area sportswriter since the 1970s and a sports columnist since the 1980s.

Key Information

A lifelong resident of Alameda, California, Ratto was a Senior Insider for the TV station NBC Sports Bay Area (formerly Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area) from 2010 to 2019, and wrote columns for their website. He has also written national columns for espn.com as well as CBS' sportsline.com.

Beginning his column-writing career for two now-defunct newspapers, The National and the Peninsula Times Tribune, Ratto later became a staff writer then a columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and then the San Francisco Chronicle before moving to TV. He has also co-hosted radio shows on both KNBR and KGMZ-FM. Ratto was a regular on the NBC Sports Bay Area show "The Happy Hour" before his termination from NBCSBA in late 2018. [1][2][3] In 2019 he was a contributor at Deadspin and wrote columns for the San Jose Mercury News.[4] Ratto is one of 60 sportswriters whose ranking of college football teams makes up the AP Poll.[5] He is also a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and a voter for the annual election of members to the Baseball Hall of Fame.[6]

Ratto is a staff writer for Defector, a site started by former Deadspin staffers after that site’s mass resignations in 2019.[7]

References

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Ray Ratto

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Ray Ratto (born 1954) is an American sportswriter and columnist renowned for his coverage of Bay Area sports, beginning his career in the 1970s as a copy boy at The San Francisco Examiner and evolving into a prominent voice through newspapers, radio, and television.[1][2] Born in Oakland, California, Ratto graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Alameda and San Francisco State University before entering journalism full-time.[2] Ratto's professional trajectory includes stints at key Bay Area outlets, such as The San Francisco Examiner (1973–1981 and 1991–2000), the Peninsula Times-Tribune (1981–1986), and The San Francisco Chronicle (1986–1990 and 2000–2010), where he established himself as a columnist in the 1980s.[2] He also contributed to the short-lived national daily The National (1990–1991)[2] and co-hosted the radio show Damon, Ratto & Kolsky on KNBR, blending print analysis with on-air commentary.[3] From 2010 to 2018, he served as a television personality at NBC Sports Bay Area, covering teams like the Warriors, 49ers, and Giants.[1] As of 2025, Ratto is a staff writer at Defector, continuing his focus on sports media and local franchises.[4] Known for his sarcastic, ornate writing style—often featuring long, hard-boiled sentences and "Ratto-isms" that deliver witty, sometimes insulting critiques—Ratto has been described as a quintessential big-city sports columnist whose influence spans over four decades.[1] Married with two children and residing in Alameda, he has covered major events like the BALCO steroid scandal and earned recognition as one of the top columnists in the field.[2][5]

Early life and education

Early life

Ray Ratto was born in 1954 in Oakland, California. He grew up in the East Bay region, spending much of his childhood in Alameda, where he would remain a lifelong resident.[2] He later transitioned to formal education at St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda.[2][6]

Education

Ratto attended St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, graduating in the early 1970s.[6][2] Born in Oakland in 1954 and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he attended San Francisco State University.[2] Ratto is a graduate of San Francisco State University and began his career at The San Francisco Examiner in 1973.[6][2]

Career

Early print journalism

Ray Ratto began his professional career in journalism at the age of 19 as a copy boy at The San Francisco Examiner, where he progressed to sports reporter and worked from 1973 to 1981.[2][7] In this role, he covered local Bay Area teams, including high school and college athletics, gaining experience in beat reporting and fact-based storytelling that emphasized clear, direct accounts of games and events. His foundational education in journalism from San Francisco State University equipped him with the skills to handle these early assignments, focusing on regional sports coverage.[2] In 1981, Ratto transitioned to the Peninsula Times-Tribune in Palo Alto, serving as a columnist until 1986.[6] There, he expanded his scope to include local and regional sports, such as Peninsula-area high school competitions and Stanford University athletics, honing a style centered on accessible narratives and on-the-ground observations.[2] This period solidified his reputation for straightforward journalism that prioritized accuracy in covering community-level events.

Newspaper columns

Following his work at the Peninsula Times-Tribune, Ratto's next columnist role was at The National, a short-lived national sports daily, from 1990 to 1991.[2][6] At this publication, he contributed to broader national coverage while drawing on his Bay Area expertise, though the paper's ambitious but unsustainable model led to its closure after less than two years.[8] Following the closure of The National in 1991, Ratto returned to the San Francisco Examiner as a columnist, holding the position until 2000.[2][6] This stint marked a continuation of his opinion-driven work in print media, building on his earlier experience at the paper from 1973 to 1981. His columns during this period often delved into the intricacies of Bay Area sports, blending sharp analysis with irreverent humor to critique team decisions and league dynamics. Ratto's career at the San Francisco Chronicle spanned two phases: an initial role as a staff writer from 1986 to 1990, followed by a return as a full-time columnist from 2000 to 2010.[6] In this capacity, he established himself as a prominent voice in the region's sports journalism, contributing regularly to the paper's Sporting Green section. His writing frequently targeted local franchises, including the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, and Golden State Warriors, where he employed a signature style of witty, often acerbic commentary on management missteps and player performances. For instance, Ratto's pieces highlighted the absurdities in front-office strategies, such as the Athletics' persistent underinvestment in facilities or the Warriors' early-2000s struggles amid ownership transitions.[1] Ratto's columns also provided in-depth coverage of pivotal events in Bay Area sports history. During the Barry Bonds era with the Giants, he chronicled the slugger's dominance and controversies, as seen in his 2001 analysis of Bonds' on-field focus amid personal scrutiny and his 2007 reflection on the uncertain futures of both player and team after 15 seasons together.[9][10] Similarly, he addressed the Oakland Raiders' tumultuous relocations, including their 1995 return from Los Angeles, critiquing the franchise's ongoing battles with stadium issues and league politics that defined the 1990s. These pieces underscored Ratto's ability to capture the emotional and logistical turmoil surrounding such shifts, often with a critical eye toward the Raiders' ownership under Al Davis.[11]

Broadcast roles

In 2010, Ray Ratto joined NBC Sports Bay Area (then known as Comcast SportsNet Bay Area) as a senior insider, where he served as both a columnist and an on-air contributor, appearing regularly on the nightly sports talk program The Happy Hour to provide commentary on Bay Area teams and national sports events.[12] His role involved delivering insightful analysis drawn from his extensive print journalism experience, often blending sharp humor with critical takes on games and player performances.[13] Ratto's tenure at the network lasted until early 2019, when he announced the end of his "tour of duty" amid a shift in the station's programming.[12] Transitioning more fully into radio, Ratto became a prominent voice on Bay Area airwaves, co-hosting shows that emphasized lively debate and game breakdowns. In the mid-2010s, he partnered with Tom Tolbert on KNBR (680 AM) for segments focused on local sports analysis, including interviews with athletes and previews of key matchups.[14] By September 2019, Ratto joined Damon Bruce and Matt Kolsky as co-host of the afternoon drive program Damon, Ratto & Kolsky on 95.7 The Game (KGMZ-FM), airing weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m. and attracting listeners with its mix of humor, hot takes, and in-depth discussions on teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors.[15][16] The show, which evolved from earlier Damon and Ratto pairings, featured Ratto's signature wry perspective on ongoing seasons and controversies.[17] This role ended in March 2023 when Ratto, along with Bruce, was part of a station-wide layoff amid Audacy's restructuring.[18][19] Since then, as of 2025, Ratto has continued to make guest appearances on KNBR, including on The Tom Tolbert Show.[20] Throughout his broadcast career, Ratto contributed to coverage of high-stakes events, including playoff runs for Bay Area franchises such as the 49ers' postseason appearances and the Warriors' NBA Finals campaigns, where he offered post-game breakdowns and strategic insights on The Happy Hour and radio slots.[21] He also provided analysis for national spectacles like Super Bowls, commenting on the New York Giants' 2011 victory and the broader implications for NFL narratives during live segments and extended programming blocks.[22][23] These appearances solidified his reputation as a versatile media figure who bridged written critique with on-air immediacy.[24]

Digital writing

In the 2000s and 2010s, Ratto contributed columns to digital platforms such as ESPN.com, where he provided sports commentary as a regular contributor, and the San Jose Mercury News website, offering guest analysis on Bay Area teams.[25][26] Ratto joined Deadspin as a contributor in 2019, during a period of significant upheaval at the site marked by editorial controversies and staff departures.[27][28] His pieces there maintained an irreverent tone, covering topics like baseball's enduring appeal amid fan complaints.[29] Following Deadspin's mass resignations in late 2019, Ratto transitioned to Defector, a new independent sports media outlet launched in 2020 by former Deadspin staffers including himself.[28][30] He has served as a staff writer there since its inception, continuing to focus on sports analysis with a persistent emphasis on Bay Area teams.[30][24] As of 2025, Ratto's work at Defector includes in-depth NFL analysis, such as midseason evaluations of team performances, and MLB commentary on player impacts and franchise dynamics.[31][32] He also contributes to the site's podcast The Distraction, appearing in episodes discussing NFL shortcomings, NBA finals, and historical sports anecdotes.[33][34] Additionally, Ratto has written tributes to retiring athletes, highlighting careers like those of NBA's LaMarcus Aldridge and soccer's Julie Ertz.[35][36]

Personal life and legacy

Family and residence

Ratto has been married to his wife, Beth, since at least the early 2000s, and together they have two children, Meredith and Christian.[6] The family maintains a low public profile, with limited details available about their personal dynamics or how family life may have shaped his professional path. A lifelong Bay Area native, Ratto has resided in Alameda, California, for much of his adult life, reflecting his deep ties to the region where he grew up.[7] He continued to live there as of 2019, prioritizing privacy in his non-professional interests, which are rarely discussed in public sources.[2]

Writing style and influence

Ray Ratto's writing style is characterized by its wit, sarcasm, and unflinching criticism of the sports establishment, often blending sharp humor with incisive analysis to dissect the absurdities of professional athletics. His columns frequently employ long, ornate sentences that avoid personal pronouns like "I" in favor of a collective "we," creating an immersive, hard-boiled narrative voice that feels both confessional and communal. This approach, described as "savagely funny" by contemporaries, allows Ratto to critique league commissioners, team owners, and media conventions with a malleable originality that shifts from arcane explorations to upward-targeted barbs.[37] In interviews, Ratto has attributed his cynical tone to a deliberate effort to offer fresh perspectives amid repetitive sports narratives, stating, "When I start to get stale I try to figure out a different way to write the same old crap."[2] Ratto's influence on Bay Area sports coverage is profound, as his irreverent voice has shaped fan discourse by prioritizing cultural relevance over rote game recaps.[38] Journalists like Dieter Kurtenbach have cited Ratto as a formative influence, describing himself as a "Ratto acolyte."[1] His emphasis on beat writers as essential resources—despite critiquing their undercompensation—has fostered a collaborative ethos in local journalism, contributing to the region's reputation for robust sports commentary.[2] Recognized as embodying the "big-city sports columnist" archetype in an era dominated by shorter formats, Ratto's pieces, such as his satirical rankings of college football traditions and heartfelt tributes to figures like broadcaster Bill King, exemplify his ability to elevate fan engagement through humor and depth.[39] Throughout his career, Ratto has evolved from print columns in outlets like the San Francisco Examiner and Chronicle to digital platforms including Deadspin and Defector, while preserving his signature irreverence amid industry shifts toward brevity and multimedia.[38] As of 2025, he continues to contribute to Defector.[30] His adaptation includes Twitter dispatches laced with sarcasm, such as jabs at detractors, ensuring his critical lens remains accessible in the digital age without diluting its bite. This versatility has cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in sports journalism, earning accolades like a 2006 Wall Street Journal nod as one of the nation's top columnists.[2]

References

  1. The World According to Ray Ratto - The Ringer
  2. Ray Ratto - Steve Marantz
  3. Ray Ratto - Audacy
  4. Ray Ratto, Author at The Oaklandside
  5. Ray Ratto Guest Columnist - East Bay Times
  6. Ray Ratto joins Comcast SportsNet - San Francisco Press Club
  7. Ray Ratto is out at NBC Sports Bay Area/California - East Bay Times
  8. How wild, reckless spending sent this country's first and last sports ...
  9. Bonds lets his bat do the talking / Slugger will never be known as Mr ...
  10. BONDS, GIANTS FACE THE FINAL CURTAIN - SFGATE
  11. BACK ON TOP / Owner Al Davis ready to reclaim Raiders' long lost ...
  12. Ray Ratto's 'tour of duty' ends at NBC Sports Bay Area - SFGATE
  13. Ray Ratto is out at NBC Sports Bay Area/California
  14. Media column: Ranking the Bay Area's five best sports radio shows ...
  15. 95.7 The Game launches Damon, Ratto & Kolsky - Audacy
  16. Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto Let Go As Part of 95.7 The Game ...
  17. Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto out at Bay Area station 95.7 The Game
  18. Bay Area media column: Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto no longer ...
  19. Ray Ratto, Damon Bruce fired by 95.7 The Game as station downsizes
  20. CSN Announces Oakland Raiders-Houston Texans Playoff ...
  21. Ratto: Giant lesson in Super Bowl chaos - NBC Sports Bay Area
  22. COMCAST SPORTSNET BAY AREA, CSNBAYAREA.COM ...
  23. Defector's Ray Ratto on the media, Bay Area sports, and that time ...
  24. ESPN.com - GEN - Mr. Dodger -- Red, white and blue
  25. Ray Ratto/Guest Columnist - The Mercury News
  26. Ray Ratto - deadspin.com
  27. Everything we know about Defector, a new sports blog from former ...
  28. Baseball Will Outlive These Complaints Too - Deadspin
  29. Ray Ratto - Defector
  30. https://defector.com/and-now-rude-midseason-notes-for-every-nfl-team
  31. Rafael Devers Is Living Proof That No One Knows Anything - Defector
  32. The Stupid Teams Are Even Stupider with Ray Ratto - The ... - Spotify
  33. Subtraction By Subtraction, With Ray Ratto | Defector
  34. Let's All Salute LaMarcus Aldridge's Cool-Ass Fadeaway - Defector
  35. Julie Ertz Was The USWNT - Defector
  36. https://www.pressreader.com/canada/vancouver-sun/20130213/283184375827361
  37. Our Bay Area Media Hall of Fame: Limiting this to 25 inductees wasn ...
  38. https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/REMEMBERING-BILL-KING-1927-2005-The-man-behind-2600635.php
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