FanNation

Mad Dog Put to Sleep: Chris Russo leaves WFAN

7/14/08

"AAAAAANNNNNNNDDDDDDD GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY! HOW ARE YOU TODAY?" 

The signature opening of the Mike and the Mad Dog radio program, heard everyday between 1 and 6:30 on WFAN in New York City will never be heard again on the stations airwaves as long time afternoon host Chris "Mad Dog" Russo was released from his contract after nearly 20 years of co-hosting one of the most successful radio shows in history.

Living in New York, Mike and the Dog, or as I (along with others) more lovingly refer to them as Fatboy and Fruitloops, spent the last 20 years becoming as big a fixture in New York sports as any of the teams they spoke about.

Their unique combination of ferociousness (Francesa) and lunacy (Russo) captured the ears of New Yorkers and made them households names for any true New York sports fan.

Despite their flaws, which are probably too many to count, they had an indescribable appeal which had listeners (and viewers following their simulcasts on the YES network) tuning in day after day, suffering from what I would best describe as "trainwrecks disease", as no matter how much one couldn't stand them, day in day out you found yourself listening to what they had to say, regardless of how much you agreed or disagreed with them.

As one of their fans, going to school outside of the area forced me to see much more of them than I probably ever should have been subjected to, but watching them on YES every day up in Syracuse kept me touch with the sports scene back home, and allowed me to get inside access to athletes, managers and coaches I couldn't get anywhere else.

It really is the end of an era and sad day here in New York, of course while trying to keep things in perspective- nobody died and both men will certainly continue to live secure lives financially (both pull in well over 7 digits a year), however drives home will never be the same without Dog's ranting and raving about anything and everything, and Mike's know-it-all, condescending remarks that drove you crazy yet still left a smile on your face.

While they would have you convinced otherwise, these two guys hardly knew what they were talking about all the time, but their distinctively different personalities are what made the show so addictive, and while you never really knew a whole lot about their personal relationship, hearing them argue with one another only created the sort of on air awkwardness that had you coming back for more.

Over the years, including many before I ever heard of either of them, they had their issues including a time when Mike was away and Russo came on the air and started the show by introducing it as the Mad Dog and Mike show (or something to that effect) which resulted in Francesa calling in and demanding an apology.

The tension always seemed to be there yet was sort of like the big elephant in room, and only recently got to the point of no return, as after nearly 20 years, Mike and the Mad Dog are no more. 

Reports say that Mike Francesa has signed a new multi-year deal with WFAN and will host the show solo, while Russo was released from contract under "mutual" terms.  There have been rumors that he was seeking a new deal with Sirius satellite radio.

Personally, I can't think of any aspect of the media more synonymous with sports here in New York than Mike and the Mad Dog, and not having the two of them together anymore is disappointing.

We'll see if the FAN decides to replace Russo in any capacity, although for the time being it appears as though they wont, leaving Mike without his partner of the last two decades.

And listeners without their favorite dog.

New York Jets acquire Brett Favre....yea...THAT Brett Favre

8/7/08

It isn't often I'm woken up in the middle of a great sleep more excited than I was at 12:09 AM when I found out the shoe in Hall of Fame Quarterback Brett Favre will be wearing a different shade of green this season when he suits up for the New York Jets.

Favre, 38, had retired only 5 months ago following a season which saw him revive his legendary career while taking the Green Bay Packers on a Super Bowl run that ended with a loss in the NFC championship game to the eventual world champion New York Giants.

Still Too Soon to be Drinking that Kool-Aid at Shea

6/22/08

What a difference a week makes.

Following a doubleheader split at the hands of the Texas Rangers, the New York Mets headed westbound with manager Willie Randolph, who upon boarding that plane was given what he believed to be some mild reassurance that by flying west his job would be secure for at least the immediate future.

Well, the Mets won on Monday night, defeating the Angels, leading most, including Willie, to believe that having won 3 of 4, no major changes were on the horizon.

Top 10 Reasons why Willie Randolph was Fired

6/18/08

So we know the story by now, Willie Randolph was unceremoniously let go by the New York Mets in the most disgraceful of ways, having been flown cross country to manage a game his team would win, only to fire him in the middle of the night.

This just didn't sit right with me, so I decided to ask around and find out why exactly this went down the way it went down.

Plus, my anger and frustration about the whole thing needed to be balanced with something to laugh about.

If you live in the New York area, you should be able to appreciate most of the references.

GREEN DAY! Celtics win Championship (boy, was i wrong)

6/18/08

On a day when The New York Mets couldn't have embarrassed themselves more off the field, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't have embarrassed themselves more on the court, falling to the Boston Celtics 131-92 in game 6 of the NBA finals, giving the C's their first world championship in 17 years.

In, addition, like many experts who get paid for their opinion, I couldn't have been more wrong in predicting a Laker victory in 6 games, just assuming that between having the best player on the planet, one of if not arguably the greatest coach in history as well as having just thrashed the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals, the Doc Rivers led Celtics would be no match for Kobe, Phil and the purple and gold.