NFT: Where do you stand on Francesa's retirement?

passionate people.

the 3-headed clown show that will be replacing him. Bro and Evan will be a pleasure compared to that shitshow.

nobody here listens to the radio at all because all of the talent is horrible, except for Papa and Banks, but only then because all of the talent on TV games is horrible.

who was it that posted recently about all posters are choir boys, shagging prom queens, working out 8 days a week?

I drive a lot and he's the best

than Francessa... I find his show at times unintentionally funny..

I used to be an avid listener, but rarely tune in anymore. He's gone downhill in recent years, and has become a bit of a political shill. I don't anticipate listening too much to WFAN, with the exception of Joe & Evan, who talk sports like a couple of fans rather than egomaniacs.

love his show. Irreplaceable as far as I'm concerned. Certainly won't be listening to Bart Scott and Co.

In comment 13738834

Agree with this. He is must listen to radio when a big story breaks.

I agree he is getting old and out of touch. It is definitely his time to go, but still will be missed.

because I don't think he legitimately cares.

I understand the sentiment of 30something year olds who have grown up with him.

If you are 30+, live in the area, and love sports, you basically grew up with the guy.

As some of his callers have said to him this month. For me, his show spans from riding in the backseat of my Dad's car as a young kid, in the background while writing papers for college, and as I changed diapers for my newborn.

That's a long time.

in part bc he provides so much fodder to have a laugh at, often through his own jackassery.

I do respect the effort to talk sports for 5.5 hours/day, and take calls from so many numbskulls.

I'll say this for him - something big happens in NY sports (like the Stanton trade, or recent Giants calamity), I generally want to tune in and listen to what Mike has to say about it. Even if I think he's being a buffoon.

The flurry of callers calling in to worship him has been pretty over the top in recent weeks. Some guy yesterday called in to share he'd recently lost his wife, and listening to Mike has been the only think getting him and his kids through it.

I mean, all due sensitivity to someone going through a tragedy, but good grief. Which is essentially what Mike said.

In comment 13738834 bceagle05 said:

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I used to be an avid listener, but rarely tune in anymore. He's gone downhill in recent years, and has become a bit of a political shill. I don't anticipate listening too much to WFAN, with the exception of Joe & Evan, who talk sports like a couple of fans rather than egomaniacs.

I like Joe and Evan, especially Joe after a brutal jets loss. Evan by himself is unlistenable because he talks about wrestling (not a sport) and the Nets (nobody cares Mikey, nobody cares!)

he's a dinosaur who doesn't know a thing about modern stats, hockey, and a whole bunch of other stuff. But few guys know the ins and outs of what's transpired in NYC sports over the last 40 years better than him. And if you watch the show ironically, he's hysterical. Whether it's Julio, his snowblower, his digs at espn, or any of his various quirks, the guy is an unintentional comedy goldmine.

Have you heard some of the other people on sports radio?

Mike is a legend and the best to ever do it. He will be missed big time. But I guess the next time a big story drops everyone will be excited to hear Chris Carlin and Bart Scott give their unique and informed opinion. Or better yet, turn on espn and listen to Michael Kay and Pete Rosenberg!

I'm gonna miss him alot. Listen to him everyday.

fortunate to have him to listen to.

Charlotte sports radio blows. Most area's sports radio blows.

People retire and move on - that's just life, so on that front, it is what it is.

He's had some the best one liner's. One that made me spit out my coffee was before the Bills Redskins SB a Bills fan called in saying Marv Levi was a much better coach than Gibbs. Mike said "your nuts that's like comparing Rommell to Sgt. Bilko."

or sometimes my kitchen.

The new show is going to be bubble gum sports radio which is equivalent to national sports radio. Why do I care what Bart Scott has to say?

Whatever his faults, fatty knows NY Sports. Yes he's not a hockey guy but he's also capable of talking golf and horse racing. I think he lost alot once Russo left, he needed that foil, but he is still far better than ESPN drive time shows.

That said, the proposed three person show taking his place sounds like a recipe for disaster.

.

riddence.

In comment 13738838 Chris684 said:

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because I don't think he legitimately cares. I understand the sentiment of 30something year olds who have grown up with him. If you are 30+, live in the area, and love sports, you basically grew up with the guy. As some of his callers have said to him this month. For me, his show spans from riding in the backseat of my Dad's car as a young kid, in the background while writing papers for college, and as I changed diapers for my newborn. That's a long time.

I am in the same boat.

I will agree he has pretty much packed it in the last few years (at least since he announced his retirement), but he is still a must listen during football season and any breaking news.

He will be missed and I think I am going to switch over to the Kay show.

and there's nobody comparable when it comes to NY sports teams. He perfectly encapsulated the frustrations with the Mets yesterday and he's constantly able to get the crux of an issue - while having no problem bringing those issues up directly with the guests who come on. Sometimes he overblows things (like Beckham) but more often than not he's on target.

but because he came up before ESPN radio, he doesn't style his format to be shock-jock type making stupid hot takes just to drum up attention. I find that more annoying in sports radio than I do Mike's arrogance and stubbornness.

I understand people calling up to thank him. Some spent 25 hours/week listening to the guy for decades. That can create quite an attachment.

Legend.

He will back on some other kind of medium in a few months.

Like everyone else in life, you'll miss him when he's gone.

I started listening in about 2002 or so when I was in high school, thought he was arrogant (he is) but a lot of those callers were just casual arrogant idiots and he made his points well. I never could stand Mad Dog and once he was gone, I thought Mike's show and material got better him. Dog's hyperactive grown sports fan acting like a little boy persona along with his VOICE was just way too annoying for me.

I remember listening a lot to him all the time when the Yankees were in the World Series in 2009 but kind of stopped listening to him daily. Since then, I just listen to whatever is posted online and tune in when he says something interesting.

Now is he done completely with sports radio (retiring as you put it) or just WFAN?

Either way he was funny (whether intentional or not), and thought his Eli Manning benching rant was the best. One thing I miss that has been gone for a while is when he stopped doing his show after football was done on Sunday night on NBC. That other guy sucks.

In comment 13738924 Chef said:

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He will back on some other kind of medium in a few months.

He has said repeatedly that he is NOT retiring, just moving on.

He's just leaving WFAN. He has said this ovuh, and ovuh, and ovuh, and ovuh again.

NOT. RETIRING.

Second of all, it hasn't been the same since his TV simulcast ended. Thank God we have YouTube to capture countless amazing moments on dee ayuh.

In comment 13738924 Chef said:

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He will back on some other kind of medium in a few months.

Yes. I should clarify that he's retiring from the WFAN. I know we haven't heard the last of him, but I'm curious if he'll ever work Monday-Friday again.

In comment 13738932 Mr. Bungle said:

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He's just leaving WFAN. He has said this ovuh, and ovuh, and ovuh, and ovuh again. NOT. RETIRING. Second of all, it hasn't been the same since his TV simulcast ended. Thank God we have YouTube to capture countless amazing moments on dee ayuh.

Haha no doubt. The video of him zonking out on air is a classic - even moreso because he insisted on denying it happened. Perfect example of what made Mike both a clown and a good listen all at once.

They're the worst part of the show, and usually deserve any shit Francesa gives them.

The best parts are Francesa on his own, and the interviews. I'd say he'll be a big loss, but he'll be doing something else soon and I'll follow him there. Hopefully it's a better format than radio, which is antiquated and full of ads.

In comment 13738924 Chef said:

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He will back on some other kind of medium in a few months.

True. But there's no way he's going to do 5.5 hours 5 days per week wherever he goes.

And I'm amazed that people prefer "Bro, bro, bro Jets, Jets, Jets. Bro, bro, bro, Mets, Mets, Mets over Carlin. Carlin may lack the passion that Francesa has (or is it had), but he seems amiable and if nothing else, knows more about hockey.

In comment 13738832 Chef said:

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than Francessa... I find his show at times unintentionally funny..

you couldn't have been more on point. You listen in the middle of the summer for the unintentionally funny situation, then tune in for the big news for the potential rant.

for me once Chris left. Ill miss him but life goes on...

In comment 13738838 Chris684 said:

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because I don't think he legitimately cares. I understand the sentiment of 30something year olds who have grown up with him. If you are 30+, live in the area, and love sports, you basically grew up with the guy. As some of his callers have said to him this month. For me, his show spans from riding in the backseat of my Dad's car as a young kid, in the background while writing papers for college, and as I changed diapers for my newborn. That's a long time.

This too. I'm 34 and had been listening since I was 8-9 years old. My daughter is 4 and she knows who he is because of hearing him in the car, like I did with my parents (both would listen to him).

should be a good farewell but I really hate that he won't be on air anymore. The replacement crew is going to be terrible and all the quirks that go into what makes listening to Mike fun will all be gone, never to be had again.

WFAN is going to hurt for a while, imo.

He's also a pioneer of sports radio.

I'm 28, I don't remember him not being on the air. He's been literally a staple of my life, whether it's unintentional comedy, being stuck in cars, listening with Dad, etc.

I don't love HIM per se, but it will be weird with him off the air. He's always been there.

So I'll start with my favorite

In comment 13738986 Sonic Youth said:

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He's also a pioneer of sports radio. I'm 28, I don't remember him not being on the air. He's been literally a staple of my life, whether it's unintentional comedy, being stuck in cars, listening with Dad, etc. I don't love HIM per se, but it will be weird with him off the air. He's always been there.

Couldn't have said it any better. Summed it up perfectly

He seems to effortlessly cover the news of the day locally - giving each team its due time - while also giving due time to national news.

I get so frustrated listening to Joe and Evan talk about the Jets and Mets for the entire show, even at times when there's not any real news about the teams. Their shtick of being tortured fans is painful to listen to, and something a Francesa would never do.

I mostly have nostalgia for their start in the early 90's. I remember when they were on an FM station for a little while, and when WFAN moved to 660. On the whole, I found Mike and Chris more tedious as I grew up, but I remember moments like listening to them on 9.11, and when I was a 14 year old kid working in a laundry mat on the Jersey Shore.

In comment 13738993 aimrocky said:

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I've never seen that. Pure genius.

doing the afternoon show before Mike and Chris, during our drives home from school in the late 80s. Anyone who thinks Mike mistreats callers should have heard Franklin (RIP). Mike (and Chris) had their ups and downs, and invite a myriad of opinions, but 30 years is 30 years

I was pretty young then, but I remember this old guy going off.

In comment 13738999 AJ23 said:

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He seems to effortlessly cover the news of the day locally - giving each team its due time - while also giving due time to national news. I get so frustrated listening to Joe and Evan talk about the Jets and Mets for the entire show, even at times when there's not any real news about the teams. Their shtick of being tortured fans is painful to listen to, and something a Francesa would never do.

Yup. As much as Mike being the smartest guy in the room irked people (I didn't for me, I thought it was hilarious) he never really catered too far with his fandom and was actually pretty unbiased IMO. Joe and Evan are insufferable - listening to wear their fandom of misery like some sort of badge of honor is so tiresome.

they were generally well researched and provided insight - sometimes his rants were on target and other times they were plain obnoxious and irritating. His show did cover most of the sports news well, but I found overall he is quite obnoxious, arrogant and difficult to listen to. Most of his callers were either obnoxious or ill-informed, and most of the time he stomped all over most of them mercilessly, there were a few interesting callers occasionally, but I came to the conclusion more than 15 years ago why anyone would want to listen to that regularly was beyond me.

Fatman -- I hear you -- in regards to the competition -- it's a sad commentary what sports talk has devolved into.

On pardon the interruption (with shouting back at forth at the top of their lungs)

That's what they believe sports radio is...

;-)

and defends it. Whether you like it or not.

In today's manufactured sound bytes that are created by news and sports bureau chiefs for media people to deliver like automatons he will be missed and many will come to realize it.

In comment 13739068 Marty in Albany said:

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;-)

I think white smoke out of your car radio would be more appropriate!

Keep bringing up the same thing again and again. Very tedious at times

But he had a good knowledge of sports as a business and had a lot more common sense than the other guys on the station.

The main thing, though, is he has been the voice you heard in your car for almost thirty years. If you are 40 or younger you probably can’t remember s time before Francesa. So it’s the passing of an era and that is always a little sad and makes you whistful

and thank you.

can think of

He will be missed and what is coming is a crap show

Classic.

Spent way too much time discussing baseball IMO.

In past years when the Giants were making a playoff push, he would spend the majority of his show discussing the Yankees off season moves.

Also, his Knicks coverage has always been very weak IMO.

I do tune in once in awhile and do find him entertaining from time to time.

x
Link - ( New Window )

Ive been listening to him since junior high school

Talk show hosts are among the most ephemeral stars in entertainment. They are tremendously impactful while their shows run, but very few have any real impact afterward.

Who under the age of 55 remembers Arthur Godfrey, a huge star in his time? Art Rust Jr. was the king of New York sports talk before WFAN. How many people today think about Art Rust Jr.? Morton Downey Jr. Larry King. These guys are very important but unlike movie & TV actors they don't leave a body of work you'd want to revisit. (Johnny Carson is a big exception.)

I know Mike Francessa isn't retiring, but I wonder if he's going to miss being, well, Mike Francessa. Because once he's off the radio, he's not going to be Da Sports Pope. He may be something, but he won't be that.

I can't stand Maddog but I think the call-in show format with one person is rough. He is dealing with idiots all day so I can understand why he is short with them.

I thought him and the woman (can't remember her name - covered Giants for awhile, I think works for NFL network, Penn State grad) were phenomenal when she was on for awhile. Also liked him Sunday mornings.

As others said, I think for big events, he's a good listen. Otherwise, it's been hard to listen to. Loved when he would go off - Jets, Cowboys, McAdoo. The Eli benching was a good end for him.

He has his ups, and his annoying traits. I only heard him second-hand or through BBI, so ... not really going to affect me.

2 massively different eras. When he and then soon after Mike & the Mad Dog started it was 30 years ago and an insanely different time in sports coverage. There were no MLB/NFL/NHL/NBA networks, No Sirius Radio, only 1 ESPN channel, and one pre-game show on CBS and NBC for football. Thats it. Sports talk radio was in its infancy and most markets didn't even have a station. He has been very instrumental in putting sports talk on the map. Yea Bill Mazer Art Rust Jr. etc... had an hour or 2 here and there but Mike was very instrumental in exploding the genre into what it is today.

On top of that through the 90's Mike and The Mad Dog was the most entertaining sports radio I ever have heard. Nobody and I mean NOBODY could cover runs like the '90 Giants, '94 Knicks/Rangers, '96 Yanks run like these guys. It was must listen radio. Not only did they get the top interviews, but they never let the subject off the hook. They always asked the tough questions we as fans wanted asked. I admit that in recent years I stopped listening much to Mike as I've grown more fond of listening to political radio and more specialized radio on Sirius like The NFL/NHL and MLB channels. I still tune him in after a huge event to get his take to this day. Of course he has an ego the size of 100 Grand Canyons, but thats what make people like him even more interesting in my opinion. I understand the hate for him. I really do whats great about the world is that beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

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How many people today think about Art Rust Jr.? Morton Downey Jr. Larry King

Every now and then at the dinner table I'll just burst on with:

"Chatanooga, Tennessee. You're on the line"

when he started. No internet, not sports blog/message board sites. These guys helped give us a forum besides our buddies or co-workers to talk sports and share our views on a large scale.

are generally the worst part of any radio talk show - they generally aren't informed. The host needs to make the show.

Francessa got the best interviews, and his show was a definite listen in comparison to anyone else IMO.

I've switched over to political talk (and am finding it's not much different than sports) about a year ago, but I'll miss Francessa.

Whether I commuted 15 minutes or an hour, I always tuned him (and Dog) in over those 30 years.

In comment 13739150 Stu11 said:

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2 massively different eras. When he and then soon after Mike & the Mad Dog started it was 30 years ago and an insanely different time in sports coverage. There were no MLB/NFL/NHL/NBA networks, No Sirius Radio, only 1 ESPN channel, and one pre-game show on CBS and NBC for football. Thats it. Sports talk radio was in its infancy and most markets didn't even have a station. He has been very instrumental in putting sports talk on the map. Yea Bill Mazer Art Rust Jr. etc... had an hour or 2 here and there but Mike was very instrumental in exploding the genre into what it is today. On top of that through the 90's Mike and The Mad Dog was the most entertaining sports radio I ever have heard. Nobody and I mean NOBODY could cover runs like the '90 Giants, '94 Knicks/Rangers, '96 Yanks run like these guys. It was must listen radio. Not only did they get the top interviews, but they never let the subject off the hook. They always asked the tough questions we as fans wanted asked. I admit that in recent years I stopped listening much to Mike as I've grown more fond of listening to political radio and more specialized radio on Sirius like The NFL/NHL and MLB channels. I still tune him in after a huge event to get his take to this day. Of course he has an ego the size of 100 Grand Canyons, but thats what make people like him even more interesting in my opinion. I understand the hate for him. I really do whats great about the world is that beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

Stu - great post. A lot of excellent points.

In comment 13739144 SLIM_ said:

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I can't stand Maddog but I think the call-in show format with one person is rough. He is dealing with idiots all day so I can understand why he is short with them. I thought him and the woman (can't remember her name - covered Giants for awhile, I think works for NFL network, Penn State grad) were phenomenal when she was on for awhile. Also liked him Sunday mornings. As others said, I think for big events, he's a good listen. Otherwise, it's been hard to listen to. Loved when he would go off - Jets, Cowboys, McAdoo. The Eli benching was a good end for him.

Kim Jones

......

" If you had Rutgers and 50 points you lost"

Whenever I wanted an informative opinion on anything regarding baseball, football, basketball, and college football/basketball, I turned on Mike. As a 32 year old, I grew up hating him because of his arrogance. I eventually grew to accept that was what he was and found his show unintentionally hilarious.

My friends and I joke about his show almost weekly. As much of a douche as he can be, he always stuck to sports while incorporating anything else significant going on at the time outside of sports. I, for one, will miss the guy when he is gone. Especially given the competition and who he is being replaced with.

Over/Under for how long Scott lasts? I wouldnt be surprised in the least if he is gone by 2019.

In comment 13739100 ij_reilly said:

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and thank you.

In comment 13738939 Go Terps said:

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They're the worst part of the show, and usually deserve any shit Francesa gives them. The best parts are Francesa on his own, and the interviews. I'd say he'll be a big loss, but he'll be doing something else soon and I'll follow him there. Hopefully it's a better format than radio, which is antiquated and full of ads.

Funny I got nostalgia during this Yanks run and started listening to him a little more regularly with my kids in the car. The first thing I said to them after about 10 minutes was this is what I don't miss about local sports talk radio- the nimrod callers. You're right I listen to Sirius now because terrestrial radio has become un-listenable due to the endless stream of ads.

But he has faked interest in recent years and it has shown. But take for example the Eli benching thing. He was legitimately interested in that and I think that was some of his better shows in the last 2 or 3 years. It all depends with him. On days he's into it he's a blowhard but okay to listen to. On days he's not into it he's just a blowhard and dull.

Will definaymiss him especially during football season

Hope his next stop is readily available I plan on continuing to listen

over the years. His ability to carry a show for 5 hours is impressive. So few good sports shows on the air. Will not be the same without him.
He speaks his mind and some of my favorite moments from the show was when he digs in when he is wrong.
Love the gifs. Loved the SF Giants and NY Giants hanging together call. And loved that he was around during the Eli debacle.

He's intelligent and he knows sports.

In comment 13738947 njm said:

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In comment 13738924 Chef said: Quote: He will back on some other kind of medium in a few months. True. But there's no way he's going to do 5.5 hours 5 days per week wherever he goes. And I'm amazed that people prefer "Bro, bro, bro Jets, Jets, Jets. Bro, bro, bro, Mets, Mets, Mets over Carlin. Carlin may lack the passion that Francesa has (or is it had), but he seems amiable and if nothing else, knows more about hockey.

Can't agree on carlin, never liked him.

He'll bluster on, talk over top of people and maintain his opinion is fact without even giving people a chance to speak.

He's arrogant and not charismatic and his interviews with anyone not related to horse racing, football or baseball were about as deep as a wading pool.

Or does everyone on WFAN have an annoying New Yawk accent?

Minko sounds like he has a borderline speech impediment.

The whole thing is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

In comment 13738838 Chris684 said:

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because I don't think he legitimately cares. I understand the sentiment of 30something year olds who have grown up with him. If you are 30+, live in the area, and love sports, you basically grew up with the guy. As some of his callers have said to him this month. For me, his show spans from riding in the backseat of my Dad's car as a young kid, in the background while writing papers for college, and as I changed diapers for my newborn. That's a long time.

Good post! Iam 36, and I grew up listening to him and Dog. I can remember the car rides and we'd listen to him. I will miss listening to him!

And why have there been no prank calls this week?

from theatre on FAN now

All guests. First Nantz, now Dan Patrick.

my favorite guest - just a rip-fest.

In comment 13740176 NNJ Tom said:

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Or does everyone on WFAN have an annoying New Yawk accent? Minko sounds like he has a borderline speech impediment. The whole thing is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

Really? I think that the New York accent is a thing in this watered down "everyone on radio/tv" has a midwestern accent and is basically a robot spewing whatever was written for them. Mike's total New Yawkness, delivery and style is going to be missed.

President
Mongo Nation
Middletown NJ Chapter

that when they started, with nationally known guys like Jim Lampley, they couldn't find an audience. When they put on guys like Mike Francessa, Chris Russo, Jody McDonald, and later Joe Benigno, guys who "sounded like New York," the station took off.

So yeah, it's true that there are a lot of strong Noo Yawk accents on Da Fan. Listeners like it.

Anybody have a list of all the guests?

is Mad Dog going to come back tomorrow for one last show with Mike? That would be awesome

Mad Dog called in for about 5 minutes today

In comment 13741056 Rover said:

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Anybody have a list of all the guests?

It's a long list. Mondo has all the names on his Twitter. The last guest ever was LG. And let's just say LG was being LT at the end. LOL

Thanks to: Jim Nantz, @DanPatrick, Dick Ebersol, Jay Horwitz, @GottliebShow, @stevesomerswfan, @TeamVic, @DAonCBS, @Feinsand, @KimJonesSports, John Franco, OJ Anderson, @TikiBarber, @kevinburkhardt, @jimcramer, @YankeesWFAN, @davediehl66, Steve Schirripa, Mitchell Etess (cont)..

More thanks: Joe Mihalich, Brendan Brown, Mike Breen, Lonn Trost, Todd Pletcher, Joe Micheletti, @MarcMalusis, Jerry Bailey, @regis, Bobby Valentine, @kurt13warner, @IraHeatBeat, Chris Kay, Eddie Coleman, Pierre McGuire, @ChrisChristie, Tim Cluess, @JSB_TV, Bobby Ojeda (cont)..

More thanks: Bob Baffert, @lindacohn, @CliffFloyd30, Darryl Strawberry, @MichaelBreed, John Davidson, @katienolan, Bob Costas, @EvanRobertsWFAN, Joe Benigno, Jim Fassel, Neil Smith, @JayGlazer, @ShaunOHara60, Suzyn Waldman, @PSchrags, @CarlBanksGIII, Tim McCarver (Cont)..


More thanks: Ian Eagle, Kenny Smith, Mike Tannebaum, @richeisen, @EricaWFAN, PJ Carlesimo, Eli Manning, @LonnieQuinnTV, @BMarshall, Eddie O, Steve Phillips, Keith Hernandez, @UKCoachCalipari, Joe Girardi, Tom Pecora, @bw51official, Barry Watkins, Brian Cashman

Thanks to special guests -- @TheImusShow, @MadDogUnleashed, our boss Mark Chernoff -- my friends @JMinkoWFAN, Mr. Met- Bob Heussler, Julio and the man LT. If I forgot anyone, feel free to let me know.

As a product of 80s Giants football and growing up going to games with my Dad. I still here him on the radio early Sunday on the way to the game and post game on the way home. Probably one of best memories of time with my father.

In comment 13739263 bceagle05 said:

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Why is Steve Phillips in this one?

In comment 13741771 gmenatlarge said:

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In comment 13739263 bceagle05 said: Quote: Why is Steve Phillips in this one?

Was there an intern around that he was trying to hit on?