I missed the already infamous argument between Mike Francesa and Chris Russo Wednesday regarding peeing logistics at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium. What can I say? I'm a STIF (spending time interacting with family). But multiple sources are planning to have it posted on YouTube by sunset, so it's all good.
The NBA Store has revealed its 10 best-selling jerseys over the 10 years since it opened. Neither Stephon Marbury nor Frederic Weis made the list. Here it is: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Dwyane Wade, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Tim Duncan.
How can Chris Webber be retired? And Jalen Rose be an analyst? Gee whiz. I covered those guys' entire Fab Five run in 1992. And I was there when Webber called timeout in New Orleans in '93. They used to be so young.
Predictably, some have made fun of ESPN for hiring Justin Timberlake to host the ESPYs in July. I say: Bravo! This is not an event for serious sports fans, so why not Justin Timberlake? And there always is the chance he'll bring along his old friend Janet Jackson.
ESPN 1050 made an excellent hire by adding the Mets' Billy Wagner to its regular guest roster; he'll appear with Michael Kay in the afternoon throughout the season. This is a big sacrifice for Billy, who is certain to miss his weird, sometimes contentious sessions with the other New York sports station's afternoon team.
The ESPN Zone in Chicago is hosting a free lunch April 13 for Cubs fans interested in watching the team face the Phillies that afternoon. One catch: You have to be 100 years old, and thus have been around the last time the Cubbies won it all. Or you have to be related to said 100-year-old. Each is allowed to bring three guests. Of course, you could be 99 right now and still have been born by the time the Cubs actually won the title in October. I assume that counts.
Good luck to Chuck Gerber, who grew up in East Meadow, graduated from Adelphi in 1965 and as of April 11 is retiring from ESPN after most recently serving as its executive VP for college sports programming. He's headed for the SEC, according to Sports Business Journal's John Ourand. Burke Magnus, who has been running ESPNU, will assume many of Gerber's responsibilities.
In advance of the April 4 International Fight League event at the Izod Center, there will be a mixed martial arts demonstration and autograph signing session in the Amtrak Rotunda of Penn Station from 7 to 10 a.m. Friday. In attendance will be MMA experts from the Renzo Gracie Academy, including Renzo Gracie, Wagnney Fabiano and Jim Miller.
That's all for now. As I mentioned earlier, I'm a STIF. Enjoy the Sweet 16.
Comments (6)
Well you missed a wonderful Mike and Chris show. From like 358-630 they were arguing over the stadiums. Straight comedy.
WMEL, a local 1,000 watt radio station here in Melbourne, Fla. starts broadcasting Imus's show on Monday morning. As far as I can tell, his show has never been on the radio air down these parts. It's the station my alarm is set to wake me up with, so for the first time ever I will be waking up to Imus, lucky me!
Neil,
Courtesy of your friends at mikefrancesa.com, here is the first 10 minutes or so of Mike and Chris's Brawl to End It All :-) I am sure you will be able to access the rest from this link. If not, check out mikefrancesa.com during the day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eft3Q_zO6NE
First no Strahan, no Tiki, no Coughlin, no Shockey, no Leiter, no Eli, and now Billy. WFAN has isolated themselves from some of the more quotable players for their guerrilla interviewing styles. I thought last football season Antonio Pierce was about the break ties with Francessa and Russo for how they were all up in arms over the blow-horn incident when they never saw the tape.
You're probably aware of this already, but Mushnick is claiming that "you heard it here first" in the NYP today.
RE: CMG
In the case of Fatso and Froot Loops, it's more a "gorilla" interviewing style.
I thoroughly enjoy it when guests do things on their show which totally go over their heads ... dissing them and they won't fight back, which is what they won't do to a regular Joe caller.
Unfortunately in NY at that hour ... if you want sports talk ... there are no major-league alternatives on radio or tv. It's F+FL, or nothing.