Written by: Andy Lee 7/29/2008 9:18 PM
The main reason I got into sports talk radio is because I was always a big fan. Most 12 year olds are into girls, video games, going to the mall, or causing trouble. When I was 12, I couldn't wait to get home and listen to my favorite national sports talk personalities like Papa Joe Chevalier, Jim Rome, and Arnie Spanier. I also loved the local perspective from Teish, Duke, and Kappy. What is the point of this you may ask? It saddens me to know that after 19 years of seemingly blissful marriage, two of the pioneers of sports talk radio might be on the skids. New York's very own Mike and the Mad Dog's (Mike Francesa and Christopher Russo) days might be numbered. On June 22, Neil Best of Newsday in New York wrote that the two were likely to end their partnership because their relationship had soured in recent months. On the June 27th show Mike Francesa, working without the dog, finally gave a 'state of the show address.' In his thick New York accent, Francesa stated, 'It is no secret that me and the dog have not always seen eye to eye on things.' The two have only worked together a handful of times since the news of a possible split was announced on June 22. Both are very coy about the show lasting past the summer. Mike and the Mad Dog were never syndicated in El Paso, but in college I made it part of my daily ritual to download their daily podcasts on the internet (gotta love the 21st century). I truly hope these two pioneers of sports talk radio can work out their differences and thrive another 20 years. Plus who doesn't want more of Mad Dog asking Francesa, "How are you doing today Mike?" and Francesa replying in his dry New York accent, 'Doing fine dog.'