Sports Talk

A Journey Inside the World of Sports Talk Radio

Alan Eisenstock

• Publisher: Atria Books
• Year: 2010
• eBook ISBN:
  9781439183236
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Radio

A Journey inside the World of Sports Talk Radio

Their voices explode over the airwaves -- with names like Mike and the Mad Dog, the Stinkin' Genius, Hacksaw, and JT the Brick. They broadcast in drive time and downtime, from rush hour to the dead of night. And yet, millions of fans tune in around the clock to hear their favorite larger-than-life radio personalities rant, rave, critique, predict, and mix it up with callers -- the dedicated fans of sports talk radio.

Never before has this cloistered world opened its doors to a no-holds-barred, behind-the-scenes, full-access look at itself. Noted journalist (and fan) Alan Eisenstock embarks on a journey through the American sports radio landscape and gives readers a front-row seat -- from breakfast at the kitchen table of Eddie Andelman, Boston's godfather of sports radio, to the WFAN commissary with Mike and the Mad Dog in New York; from the plush home game room of Chicago's hot dog-vendor-turned-#1 DJ Mike North to the empty 3 AM studio parking garage with nationally syndicated JT the Brick. Eisenstock goes into the studios, homes, and lives of these and many other of America's hottest and most-listened-to sports talk hosts.

Filled with hilarious and entertaining tales of what makes these hosts tick -- as well as the unbelievable stories of how they got where they are today -- Sports Talk paints a picture the fans never see. Eisenstock shows us the blood, sweat, and tears of program directors with their reputations on the line; hosts searching for career security; and station managers who are always eyeing the bottom line. And, of course, there are stories of the rabid, obsessed, and off-the-wall fans. Whether you're a sports fan or a sports talk junkie, you'll be hooked from the first page.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• I. how i got hooked on smack
• II. discovering genius ARNIE SPANIER:THE STINKIN’ GENIUS
• III. morning drive EDDIE ANDELMAN: THE GODFATHER OF SPORTS TALK
• IV. line one THE SMELL OF BASEBALLS
• V. midday MIKE NORTH: MONSTER OF THE MIDDAY
• VI. genius at work REMOTE
• VII. afternoon drive MIKE AND THE MAD DOG; BOMBS FHOM EVERY DIRECTION
• VIII. line two PAPA JOE CHEVALIER: BITE ME
• IX. evening drive LEE “HACKSAW” HAMILTON: CONTROL ROOM
• X. late night JOHN RENSHAW: FREAKSHOW
• XI. overnight JT THE BRICK: BLIND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
• XII. line three JOE THE WAITER
• XIII. genius on hold ONE TOO MANY
• AUTHOR’S NOTE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS