Ray Ratto's 'tour of duty' ends at NBC Sports Bay Area

Ray Ratto (Image courtesy of Twitter, @RattoCSN) Ray Ratto (Image courtesy of Twitter, @RattoCSN) Image 1 of / 47 Caption Close Ray Ratto's 'tour of duty' ends at NBC Sports Bay Area 1 / 47 Back to Gallery

Essentially every Bay Area sports fan has read him in print, heard him on KNBR or consumed his column online at some point over the last four decades, but nobody will be seeing Ray Ratto on NBC Sports Bay Area going forward.

The longtime Bay Area sports columnist announced on Twitter Wednesday that he had "ended his tour of duty" as a senior insider for the cable sports channel.

"In news you don't actually need, I have completed my tour of duty at NBCSports Bay Area en route to whatever the next thing is," Ratto wrote. "Regards to those I worked with for 8 1/2 years; you're all pros and friends . . . except for four of you."



In his role, Ratto regularly appeared on a nightly sports talk show dubbed "The Happy Hour" and penned online columns for NBC Sports, most recently previewing the major real estate moves local teams have planned for 2019.

Before joining NBC, Ratto served as a sports reporter and columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and The Chronicle's Sporting Green over several decades, creating a likable curmudgeon persona and a reputation as a journalist who wasn't afraid to tell it like it is when local teams disappoint. He also frequently contributed sports analysis on KNBR's talk radio programs.

MORE: Ray Ratto from The Chronicle archives

Fans, athletes and colleagues quickly jumped on Twitter to voice disappointment, wish him well and speculate about the four people he referenced in his tweet.

Right now there are 41 people who think they're one of the four, and I like to tell them all that they are. https://t.co/xZLTXUoPNF — Ray Ratto (@RattoIndy) January 3, 2019

Ratto did not further elaborate on what led to his departure from the station or where he expected to land next. But he did use his signature sardonic tone to suggest a life of crime might be the best option.

Actually, you're on my burglary list, so we'll see each other soon. https://t.co/tX5FIYMhQU — Ray Ratto (@RattoIndy) January 3, 2019

Those looking to follow his next move should note: Ratto has changed his twitter handle to remove a reference to NBC.