Local radio legend Raplh Barbieri has been a staple of Bay Area sports fans lives for years and years, and according to the SF Chronicle, he's had a devastating disease for a good part of it.
↵Barbieri spoke with the Chronicle's Scott Ostler recently, and divulged to him that he has been living with Parkinson's since 2005. As not to cause any alarm he kept the news to himself, even going as far as keeping it from his 11 year old son until very recently, whom he takes care of by himself. Barbieri recently was going through contract negotiations with KNBR, and decided to finally let the world know about his condition to put "all the cards on the table, face up,"
↵The Bay Area Sports Guy also wrote a great piece on the subject as well, echoing the sentiments of KNBR's attempted pay cuts and their relationship with Ralph. Barbieri noted that the station want's him back, but in what regard he still is not sure.
↵↵↵"the fact that he [Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus Media, parent company of KNBR] didn't view the Parkinson's as a red flag, that was a huge relief to me."
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None of us do Ralph. We're all here to support you.