Safe to say we are the sports talk radio jinx. Back in
\nSeptember, we wrote an article<\/a>
\n\u201ctouting\u201d (so to speak) the best sports talk shows from the standpoint of the
\nsports bettor. Two of the best, Joe Benigo<\/span> of WFAN<\/span> in New York<\/st1:place><\/st1:State>
\nand Rick Ballou<\/span> of 1010 XL in Jacksonville<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>,
\nwere taken off solo gigs and partnered with co-hosts. The two purists were
\nlikely watered down in the name of \u201cguy radio,\u201d a bigger ratings winner that adulterates
\nsports discussion with shtick. <\/p>\n

Benigo<\/span> now shares airtime with
\nEvan Roberts while Ballou<\/span> is diluted by former
\nJacksonville Jaguar Tom McManus. <\/p>\n

In one of the great twists of irony, WPEN<\/span>
\nin Philadelphia<\/st1:place><\/st1:City> is now part of the
\nESPN Radio Network. In the process, they are putting behind the mic<\/span> one of the loudmouths they railed against. Then known
\nas SR950, WPEN<\/span> often ran commercials taking potshots
\nat their rival 610 WIP<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a moron, you\u2019re an idiot and if you listen to
\nthat, you probably are,\u201d correctly bragged an oft-run commercial on WPEN<\/span>. Problem is the slam is a not-so-subtle reference to
\nformer WIP personality Mike Missanelli, as well as Missanelli\u2019s<\/span>
\nseparated-at-birth mudslinging monger Steve Martorano<\/span>
\nand sports talk Dean Howard Eskin<\/span>. <\/p>\n

Unfortunately sports talk purist Jody McDonald gets
\ndemoted to mid-mornings to make room for the ad hominem merchant Missanelli. <\/p>\n

Guy radio is fine, but that\u2019s why we have Phil Hendrie<\/span>, Dennis Miller and others as viable alternatives.
\nSadly though, that format continues to debase sports radio. <\/p>\n

The anti-smear ads on Sports Radio 950 have been replaced
\nwith promos about Missanelli returning to drive time. The irony is duly noted. <\/p>\n

The author is Joe Duffy. His sports betting selections are
\nat www.GodsTips.com<\/a> <\/span>He is former General Manager of the
\nFreescoreboard scorephone network and CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com<\/a>,
\n<\/span><\/b>the premier hub of world-class handicappers. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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