I've been listening to him a lot recently with his time at WFAN ending on Friday. A majority of the callers are thanking him, saying he made their commutes better & the like. Some of it has been way over the top, but I get that he has his loyal followers.
While I enjoy hearing Da Sports Pope's take when a big sports story happens, I'm not going to miss him belittling caller & just being an obnoxious jackass most of the time. I don't know their new trio will do, but it probably is time for new blood.
How do you feel? Going to miss Francesa or not?
who was it that posted recently about all posters are choir boys, shagging prom queens, working out 8 days a week?
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.
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 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.
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!)
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!
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.
That said, the proposed three person show taking his place sounds like a recipe for disaster.
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.
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.
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.
He has said repeatedly that he is NOT retiring, just moving on.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
WFAN is going to hurt for a while, imo.
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.
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
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've never seen that. Pure genius.
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.
Fatman -- I hear you -- in regards to the competition -- it's a sad commentary what sports talk has devolved into.
That's what they believe sports radio is...