PCP Sports

A DIVORCE THAT HURTS ALL SPORTS FANS
by John Leon

“Annnnnnnnnnddddddddd Good Afternoon everybody!!! How are you doing today? The Mike and the Mad Dog radio program is on the air.”
On Friday morning that’s how the Mike and the Mad Dog radio program on WFAN New York opened for the last time.
Just two weeks short of their 19th anniversary, one of the longest, if not THE longest running sports talk shows came to an end. Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo decided to end their Mike and the Mad Dog radio program on WFAN in New York. Russo made the decision that it was time for the two to part ways and we as sports fans will be the poorer for it.

Francesa, who has been with FAN since 1987 will take over the 1-6:30pm daily slot on a solo basis for now. Russo stated that “it was the right call at the right time and there were several opportunities” that he wanted to take advantage of at the age of 48.
The two were paired starting in 1989 and although they have not seen eye-to-eye on many occasions, as Francesa mentioned that over 19 years, probably 5 or 6 very public squabbles between the two were somewhat ugly. The last disagreement between the two happened this past spring.
They always brought a great knowledge; passion and integrity to the sports talk landscape that is rarely seen these days. They were indeed pioneers in the genre, and when you listened to them, they would rail on about a myriad of things in any topic.
As Francesa opened the show on Friday afternoon, you could feel the sobriety in his voice and in a move rarely heard of in the medium, brought Russo on by phone to give his farewell. Russo, always emotional, broke down at times, praising the relationship between the two. Francesa mentioned that they had been together and known each other longer than their current wives had known them, causing Russo to lose it. Francesa had to break the moment or he would start the tears as well.
During the program Mike said that there would be a different feel to the afternoon program and the Russo had made this decision to pursue other opportunities, giving Russo the chance to explain why he made the decision to leave at this time. Sirius radio has been mentioned as a possible outlet and no matter where he lands, he will bring his enthusiasm and knowledge to that program as well.
As fans, we will certainly be the losers in this breakup. The entertainment, the back and forth commentary on everything from horses, to books, to authors, to the Yankees and Giants, will be sadly missed and though I’m sure Francesa will do a fine job, there will definitely be something missing.
Much like two people that have been married and have know each other through thick and thin, this divorce will be an adjustment for everyone, including the children of the show, us fans. We have to step back and realize that they were truly the patriarchs of what we hear on our airwaves now, good and bad.
So when we hear hosts on the Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, etc. airwaves, always be reminded that it all started with Mike and the Mad Dog. We have been in their debt for creating this genre and though we often disagree with what is said, they have spurred the audience to think and voice opinions on the sports landscape.
We will move on, remembering how often the passionate disagreements were voiced, but we also will remember the entertainment that was provided and the knowledge that made us form our own opinions.
As sports fans we all lose in this divorce but as someone once said, “Don’t be sad because of the ending, be happy because it happened.”  Mike and the Mad Dog made it happen.