Sam Spear, longtime Northern California publicist, dead at 72

Sam Spear, the longtime director of media relations at Golden Gate Fields and the now-defunct Bay Meadows, died early on Saturday morning of complications of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease, according to multiple reports. Spear was 72.

A native of the Bay Area, Spear was well known in both baseball and horse racing circles. He hosted a racing-replay television show for 39 years, which he always ended with the phrase, “I’ll see you at the races,” emphasizing the “you.” In addition to hosting and producing, Spear also sold advertising for the show. Spear continued to host a Sunday morning talk show, “At the Track with Sam Spear,” until his health problems sidelined him.

“The Golden Gate Fields racing community will never forget Sam Spear and the countless contributions he made to Northern California horse racing and the community at large,” said a statement from Golden Gate.

Born in Alameda, Spear was a lifelong racing fan, and he frequently acted as a mentor for those attempting to get into the business. He spent afternoons at the racetrack in and out of the press box, chatting with fans and horsemen along the way.

Spear was also a long-time friend of Joe DiMaggio, the Hall of Fame baseball player and fellow native of the Bay Area. After graduating from San Francisco State, Spear was employed by the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s before moving into racing full-time.

Spear is survived by his longtime partner, Barbara O’Neill. A funeral mass has been scheduled for Nov. 1 at St. Isadore Catholic Church in Danville.