I was driving home from work the other day—now more an exception than the rule (thanks COVID). There are two sports radio stations here in Hampton Roads. One is a Fox affiliate (with next to no local programming), and one is an ESPN affiliate (with only slightly more local programming).
As I was making the 30-minute drive home, I was listening to the drive time local program on the ESPN affiliate. The long-standing host, a guy named Nick Cattles, had just left for the west coast, and was replaced by a relative newcomer here in Norfolk; a guy named Tim Donnelly. Who he is (cousin of Mike Glennon, incidentally) isn’t important. He’s like most other local guys. Trying hard to make a name. I listened for a bit, convinced that I could do that job better than he. Then switched over to Rich Eisen on Fox Sports Radio. Completely different universe, right? These guys talk about the same things (especially by 5pm, everything’s already been talked about), but the difference in production values, guests, etc, is just immense. Not always better, but different.
So I started going down memory lane. I am an admitted sports radio junkie. I mean hardcore. No matter where we’ve lived, I’ve found the sports stations. I’ve grown up listening to some of the giants of the business, as well as some of the groundbreaking pioneers. I’ve listened to the local guys, called in to the big boys. Sports radio has always been a big part of my life. To that end, I thought it would be fun to reminisce a little bit, since I’m sure some of you had the same experiences growing up. Maybe I can elicit a smile/smirk and one or two “oh yeah, I remember those guys” moments.
I grew up outside of Philadelphia. This was way before ESPN or Fox Sports Radio. I can’t honestly say that I remember any national sports talk shows in the 80s and early 90s. I remember 610 WIP was our main sports station, with 1210 WCAU the other one (home of the Phillies). The first guys I remember were Angelo Cataldi and Mike Missanelli. Philadelphia pro sports in the late 80s, early 90s were largely sources of pain and despair (f-ing Joe Carter) so these guys had a ton to talk about. “Bums, all of them” was a popular refrain.
When I made my way to Penn State, I found myself in kind of a netherworld of sports radio. Not close enough to Philly to get their sports radio shows, still too far from Pittsburgh to get their shows. So I listened to local State College sports on 1450 WMAJ. I can’t even remember a local host there. It was while in Happy Valley that I remember hearing my first national program. Before there were 24/7 national sports radio stations, national shows occupied late night time slots. Enter Ron Barr’s Sports Byline, the nation’s first national sports talk show.
Ron Barr was just plain awesome. I listened to Sports Byline religiously. Yes, my social life wasn’t exactly bustling. I even called in to the show a couple times. Nothing will get the adrenaline going more than when the normal busy signal is replaced with “Sports Byline, what’s your question for Ron?” I still get chills.
After college, I found myself in Tucson, Arizona. This is where I think my real obsession with sports radio went into hyperdrive. There was Warner Wolf on the Don Imus Show. The Fabulous Sports Babe, Arnie Spanier, "Papa Joe" Chevalier all on 1 on 1 Sports (the precursor to Sporting News Radio). I can
still hear Spanier giving out the station’s phone number…1-800-777-2….907. And the hourly “1 on 1 Sports Flash.” Like it was yesterday. Most of my evenings in Tucson were spent listening to these guys (getting a theme with my social life?). I remember that time fondly.
After a brief—but eventful—stint in Dayton (1410 WING), we ended up in Montgomery, AL (740 WMSP). We’re still in the early days of national sports radio, so the local guys still ruled the morning/afternoon drive. I just looked it up this week, and the same guys I listened to on the way to work (Barry McKnight and John Longshore) are STILL doing their thing. Barry holds a special place in my memory bank since I once emailed him and asked him how to get into the industry. He sent me a great response with some good advice that I never acted on.
In the mid-2000s, there was a really cool balance between national/local sports radio scene
since I found myself in some pretty good sports towns. I was in the DC market, so mornings were Kevin Sheehan (980 AM) and Mike and Mike in the Morning. In the afternoons, Tony Kornheiser and his gang. Never got into the guys on 106.7 The Fan (Sports Junkies), but I heard they were good.
Hawaii had the ESPN affiliate, but not much national programming (time difference made it hard to listen to Mike and Mike at 0300). Bobby Curran (a transplanted New Yorker) was the main guy, and pretty good to listen to. Josh Pacheco, listening to the Rainbow Warriors, etc. All good memories.
Seattle had probably the best local sports radio set up that I’ve listened to. 710 KIRO had a great morning show (Danny O’Neill, Tom Wassell and Brock Huard, later Mike Salk) and Bob Stelton, Dave Groszby, and Dave Wyman in the afternoon. 950 KJR was the Fox affiliate, and has Dave “Softy” Mahler, who I still listen to from time to time.
Some random national guys that I grew up listening to:
Jim Rome: Clones, rack ‘em, epic…I thought he had some good interviews, but I got real
tired of his shtick. I guess he’s still doing his thing, but I haven’t listened in years. I still remember him on ESPN2 calling Jim Everett “Chris”. Moron.
Jay Mohr: A supremely gifted comedian, I actually really enjoyed his nationally syndicated show. I thought he brought just the right amount of fan to the sports talk business. Was sad when he was replaced. He was never afraid to bring us in to his personal struggles with depression, etc. Good dude.
Doug Gottlieb: Can’t stand him. I will turn the station if he’s filling in for anyone I normally listen to.
Colin Cowherd: Been listening to him since he joined ESPN. I don’t think there are many
better than him. Before moving to FSR, he didn’t really have a co-host. I found it absolutely amazing that he could fill 3 hours of talking by himself. For my money, he’s the best in the business, followed closely by…
Dan Patrick: One of my favorite SportsCenter anchors, and one of the best national sports guys.
That ends the trip down Sports Radio memory lane. I really think my affinity for sports radio has gone a long way in influencing my development as a sports fan, for better or worse. I know it's crazy, but I seriously feel like I had a connection to all of the guys (and the Sports Babe) mentioned above. Like I knew them. I talked to them (in my car), yelled at them, disagreed with them, etc. I never met any of them in person, but I spent a whole lot of time with them.
Who did you grow up listening to? Tell me about it in the comments!
This was a blast to write. Thanks again for reading.
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