It's a shame that there is no TV simulcast of WFAN's mid-day show, as there is for the afternoon show.
Because listening to Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts screaming at each other about Carlos Beltran this morning, I would love video to determine whether either or both was on the verge of climbing over the radio equipment between them to choke one another.
Brief summary: Joe is not a huge fan of Beltran. Roberts questioned him on this point.
(UPDATE: You can listen to the fight here.)
Why do I listen to this stuff? Because if I don't, the only sound in the basement will be the dehumidifier humming.
I could listen to music like Deadspin's Will Leitch does while he rules the sports blogosphere from a basement in Brooklyn. But that would be too sane.
Comments (18)
entertaining. why doesnt sny just simulcast them? its bound to happen.
Pink Floyd accentuates dehumidifiers.
Joe Benigno kept asking Evan Roberts, "How do you know he doesn't?" after Benigno stated that Carlos Beltran probably tells Jose Reyes to do things in contradiction to Willie Randolph's directives. Joe Benigno did not site any of his sources (or voices in his head) for the story.
Ugh! I think Beltran is completely underrated as a player.
He might not hit as much as we'd hope, but he gets on base and is a spectacular fielder. He might be a bit overpaid, but I think he's worth it.
Also, to offset the yelling and screaming, I suggest Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" album.
Neil,
I was listening as well this morning and was equally distressed. Benigno also claimed that there is a major divide in the clubhouse but as always is the case on the WFan, never provided any proof, quotes or explanation for making the statement.
But more importanly, this whole hysteria about firing Willie exisits for the most part only on the Wfan and the few idiots who pass the screener and call in. I thought it was just these callers that were being rediculous over the years but I am now convinced that aside from Richard Neer and Steve Somers the WFan hosts are just as stupid.
Being subjected to this bitter environment has been one of the major reasons some professional athletes do not want to come to or remain in New York. The WFan directly promotes this bitterness and is part of the problem. While their shortsighted perspective supposedly fuels ratings the caliber of the product is becoming absolute crap.
Though they are all doing quite well for themselves by making a living on running people out of town it affects not only the teams in New York, but me the fan. I only hope to God that the owners of the teams do not pay any attention to these clowns and manage their teams regardless.
And should anyone over there be paying attention. Leave my Manager and my Mets alone and try talking about something else for a change. Prove to your listeners that your more than just a three trick pony and know more about sports than just baseball, football and basketball. And don't tell me that's all the fans want to discuss, you have got to reach out to the 95% of your listeners that don't call as we have suffered with these idiots long enough!
John
John: You make some good points, BUT, trust me, sports talk radio is even more moronic in most markets outside NY than it is here.
Neil, Well I am starting to smell a business opportunity.
Happy memorial Day.
I cannot bear to listen to Screech. He's the worst!
FREE JOE NOW!!!!
jcf61,
If you chide WFan, that they " never provided any proof, quotes or explanation" do you have proof that it's " ...one of the major reasons some professional athletes do not want to come to or remain in New York"?
Anonymous AKA: Joe Benigno,
I'm not the one doing a sports talk radio station nor do I promote myself as a provider of sports related news or reporting.
Next point?
Beningo knows his schtick... angry. We are both Mets, Jets and Knicks fans yet I can't stand the guy. Don't get me started on SNY ever showing that man on HD.
Too bad neither Benigno or Roberts (and you can add a few other fan-talkies to this list) never get out from behind the mike to do a little of their own objective reporting. Gee, what a novel idea THAT would be. Hats off to the REAL reporters in the media who talk about facts. That morning show today was so nonsensical. Let's see who can scream the loudest. Enough.
In Benigno's world LoDuca would still be the starting catcher with a big C on his chest along with being a goodwill ambassador for the UN, Victor Diaz would be playing LF, and Milledge would be starting in CF. I cannot stand him or Huessler. The only Mets fan I can take on WFAN really are Boomer and Carton since they really are not fanatical, obsessive, nutcases about the Mets or feed into the Mike and Chris traps. I try to avoid Paul LoDuca's two PR agents and followers as much as I can on the midday show.
I doubt SNY will ever give Screech and Schmoe a simulcast deal. Honestly Boomer and Carton got a better shot since the morning shows are the hot times for simulcast compared to the 10 AM to 1 PM timeslot. Also FranDog are in their final year of their contract at YES and don't you think SNY will jump at the chance to get them?
Their arguments seem manufactured. Benigno is a fiery guy, whose Jets and Mets rants are legendary (or at least, they should be). Evan, on the other hand, has developed yet another annoying habit -- arguing just for the sake of arguing. Come on, how can he disagree with Joe on virtually everything?! I'm guessing Evan "Mommy, will you get me a morning show for my birthday?" Roberts is just trying to forge an image for himself, and poor Joe has been ordered to play along.
This is what occurs when you have "fans" hosting talk shows. Benigno is actually listenable when he's alone, and he does conduct decent interviews with anyone who doesn't play for the Jets or Mets. On the other hand, Roberts has become a poor imitation of Mad Dog, with about as much knowledge of sports beyond being able to read a trivia book. Mad Dog - who doesn't watch hockey - actually predicted a Red Wing Cup win on MSNBC.com. Is that a paying gig? Now that's a definition of "zero credibility".....
Just to add my 2 cents.
I like Joe. Rants are his trademark & reminds us he is a fan just like us. I initially liked Evan but as time goes on & I like him less & less. He seems to be trying to be the main voice on the show but I think that should be Joe. Evan is young & should let Joe lead more b/c of his knowledge (being older & knows more of the history). I wouldn't mind if it was just Joe. He is one of the hosts that can do his show solo & be tolerable.
On a side note, I wonder how much it really bothers Joe that Boomer & Carton deliberatly go over into Joe & Evan's show. I don't know if it's every day b/c I don't always get a chance to listen at 10am but I did hear Russo bring it up with Joe & I've heard it a couple of times. Boomer & Carton don't even seem to make the effort to finish their show on time, I heard them take a call at 9:59. To me that is a sign if professional disrespect. I heard them the day of Joe & Evan's show at Mickey Mantle, where Boomer & Carton knew about it, mentioned it & still went past 10am. How can Chernoff let them keep doing that? Boomer & Carton prob think it's a big joke. I can't stand them anyway & if I am able to listen to the fan in the morning, I wait till after 10am before tuning in.
Carton knows he has no future at WFAN, so he acts like the maverick who can do and say whatever he wants (like tweaking Joe & Evan, and Francesa), while Boomer and the rest have to behave themselves. He should ask Sid Rosenberg how well the "Howard Stern lite" routine goes over on an all-sports station.