Gresh out in Sports Hub shakeup

Jackson 2 said:

Since their show consistently won its time slot, I'm guessing his dismissal was due to some off-air issue with management. .

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Yep. We know it wasn't due to job performance or ratings. It is reasonable to speculate that this was a contract issue that could not get resolved. Gresh overplayed his hand.

With Gresh’s departure, The Sports Hub will also shake up its Patriots pregame and postgame programming.Gary Tanguay, who briefly preceded Gresh as Zolak’s midday cohost when The Sports Hub launched in August 2009, also is not expected to return.

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Tanguay is out, according to the Globe, from the Patriots coverage. Good.

goheels22002 said:

Tanguay is out, accoring to the Globe, from the Patriots coverage. Good.

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Tanguay really shot himself in the foot this year with his stance that the Pats we saw in the first Jets' game is the real Patriots. For a month after that game, he would dismiss any Patriots win and vigorously debate people stating that the Pats who barely got by the Jets and couldn't stop the the Jets' offense were what the Pats really were.

Rob0729 said:

Tanguay really shot himself in the foot this year with his stance that the Pats we saw in the first Jets' game is the real Patriots. For a month after that game, he would dismiss any Patriots win and vigorously debate people stating that the Pats who barely got by the Jets and couldn't stop the the Jets' offense were what the Pats really were.

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He decided to be CSN's resident Patriots naysayer which crossed over to his work on 98.5 and the shtick got real obnoxious real fast. You can tell it's an act, but he backed himself into a corner with it.

Some of you guys should just start a podcast or something. In the 21st century there's really no reason to be stuck with a crappy, depressive, agenda driven media. I hate Boston media culture. In fact, I'll go one further and say I hate Boston sports culture, because I don't consider the Patriots a `Boston team` like other franchises that shall go unnamed.

The Patriots are rural New England. This is why there's a severe disconnect between what passes for acceptable coverage for one team, and acceptable Patriots coverage. One seems to like it one way, one likes it another.

Jackson 2 said:

Bertrand, having been contaminated by Squeaky and the Douchebag, is a poor replacement, in my opinion.

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I can't imagine fatty Bertrand and Zo having any chemistry. I'll bet Zolak hates this change.

I couldn't stand Gresh's immature crap from a few years ago so I basically stopped listening to him. Maybe I should have given him another chance. I do like Zo.

Radio rarely lets anyone say goodbye.
One has to be a heavy hitter(which Gresh isn't, even though I like him) to get that to happen.

If this is true and now that the cat is out of the bag do they do this to start Monday ?

Rob0729 said:

I always thought Felger and Holley would be a good show, but Mazz sucks.

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You're on to something here. Mazz is a puppy to Felger. Personally, I think Felger is a master at what he does. No one prepares like he does and everything he says is calculated to bring out the best show that gets people to listen and talk. He may be a contrarian by design but that's the point. I would hate a "everything is awesome" Patriots radio show.
Holley may not be the most dynamic personality or a controversial guy, but his style would be an interesting contrast to Felger's. It would not be two blowhards talking over each other ("Big Show"). But you'd have two hosts that challenge each other and the callers daily.

Tunescribe said:

The best radio football guy by far, IMO, is Matt Chatham.

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Chatham and Zo would be brilliant. I don't think there's a better host for football talk than Chatham. However... can he talk other sports? I have no idea.

This sucks, and it just speaks to the "Felgerization" of 98.5. You've got Felger Youth members Keefe, and A Jones at night, Betrand, Mazz, and Herr Felger himself. T&R are horrible. Their schtick was funny when they had the chili guy, but now I can't stand em.
Gresh and Zo were the only show that didn't focus on how Team A can beat the Pats; they actually talked about the team they cover and didn't focus on the opponent. They were the only show that wasn't "Felgered." Now, if reports are true, Bertrand goes with Zolak? Forget it. Betrand will just spout his HOTSPORTZTAKEZ and declare the Pats' window closed once more....
I don't get to listen much, but I really enjoyed Gresh and Zolak...

Godspeed Gresh, you'll be missed...

Tunescribe said:

I can't imagine fatty Bertrand and Zo having any chemistry. I'll bet Zolak hates this change.

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Bertrand doesn't strike me as too worldly. I know it's Boston sports talk. But, you have to see the team you're commenting on in the big picture. He's only known sports at the greatest time in Boston sports history. Then whines when they don't win a championship. Makes horrible analogies to back-up his opinions. Really young and way too immature for that slot.

Section103 said:

He may be a contrarian by design but that's the point. I would hate a "everything is awesome" Patriots radio show.

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You are setting up a false dichotomy. It isn't like only choices are "total homer!" and "spout out a bunch of negative ******** to rile people up because you either can't or don't want to engage in reasonable discourse." There is more than enough room in the middle to set up camp if you are so inclined.

Felger's act works because pissing in people's faces will always get a reaction, but it is lazy and embarrassing.

FCB02062 said:

This sucks, and it just speaks to the "Felgerization" of 98.5. You've got Felger Youth members Keefe, and A Jones at night, Betrand, Mazz, and Herr Felger himself. T&R are horrible.

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It's formula and it's a childish approach that seizes negatively on fans' passion for sport. "Antagonize the listeners and you'll get ratings." We're forced to deal with this if we want sports news or cogent commentary from the occasionally insightful guest. New York sports radio is so much better because it's run by adults for adults. Shows like Felger & Mazz wouldn't last a week in New York.

patsfaninpa said:

Bertrand doesn't strike me as too worldly. I know it's Boston sports talk. .

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You pretty much supported the reason why Beetle is perfect for the job

patsfaninpa said:

I know it's Boston sports talk. But, you have to see the team you're commenting on in the big picture. He's only known sports at the greatest time in Boston sports history. Then whines when they don't win a championship. Makes horrible analogies to back-up his opinions. Really young and way too immature for that slot.

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Yea for listeners over 40 who have first hand knowledge of sports moments from the 70s and 80s that are looking for someone to relate to hes not the guy for us. However, for the 25-35 demographic the choice makes sense. I don't have a strong opinion of him. Seem innocuous to me. Now those who have called in during the Big O days and say , "You Fat Bastard!" can call in again.

FCB02062 said:

This sucks, and it just speaks to the "Felgerization" of 98.5. You've got Felger Youth members Keefe, and A Jones at night, Betrand, Mazz, and Herr Felger himself. T&R are horrible. Their schtick was funny when they had the chili guy, but now I can't stand em.
Gresh and Zo were the only show that didn't focus on how Team A can beat the Pats; they actually talked about the team they cover and didn't focus on the opponent. They were the only show that wasn't "Felgered." Now, if reports are true, Bertrand goes with Zolak? Forget it. Betrand will just spout his HOTSPORTZTAKEZ and declare the Pats' window closed once more....
I don't get to listen much, but I really enjoyed Gresh and Zolak...

Godspeed Gresh, you'll be missed...

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I just don't get it. Felger and Mazz get a five year contract? WHO listens to these guys? Felger isn't just a condescending contrarian, he insults fans left and right. It's like the whole concept of "fandom" is something that one needs to outgrow to him. Combined with his nasty ultra-cynicism on just about everything and it's negativity central. Really, I'm curious. WHO enjoys this? Are there really that many members of the Fellowship of the Miserable out there? How come Felger is the one we're stuck with while Gresh (who's WAY better) is gone?

Sad. Really sad. I've often wondered what we've done to deserve the media we're stuck with. I think that may be part of the answer. The Fellowship still rules.

Somewhere along the way - from the birth of the Sports Huddle to now, sports radio hosts got way too self important. In Eddie Andelman's day sports talk was fun, a diversion. Sunday evenings were fun because of Eddie, Mark, and Jim. They openly rooted for the home team, hated the opposition. Now, it seems as guys like Herr Felger and his minions, Tanguay (his getting axed is the best news of all), feel they have a "duty" to uphold and NOT root for the home team. Do they think they're serious "journalists"? I remember the night after the ball went through Buckner's legs the sports huddle, or maybe it was just Eddie, was on till like 4 am....letting fans cry on the radio....that'd never happen today.

Oswlek said:

You are setting up a false dichotomy. It isn't like only choices are "total homer!" and "spout out a bunch of negative ******** to rile people up because you either can't or don't want to engage in reasonable discourse." There is more than enough room in the middle to set up camp if you are so inclined.

Felger's act works because pissing in people's faces will always get a reaction, but it is lazy and embarrassing.

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I agree that there is a middle ground. I guess where we differ is that I don't see Felger as being so far out of the middle when it comes to analysis of the Pats. I don't think he is such an extreme. He usually brings data to an argument and he is open to discussion or analysis that proves him wrong. "In Bill we trust" is not analysis. Tom is the 'GOAT' is not analysis. He certainly brings skewed conspiracy theories to some of it and that shtick gets tired, but I will take it over the incessant injokes and blowhards of the old Big Show.

Middle of the road and "everything is awesome" doesn't get people listen, it does not get people to talk. Sports fandom is about passion. Sports radio is about making money off of that fandom. If you don't bring out that passion, there's no money to be made. So we can talk about whether they should run more, or if Gray should be active, or if Chandler Jones is getting enough pressure, or act like we have a clue as to what Xs and Os would have won the game last week, but it won't fill an entire week of radio, (especially with every other show that day talking about the same stuff) and it won't get anyone to listen in a bye week. None of us are Mel Kiper so what good does it do to talk about 40 times and hand size on the radio leading up to a draft filled with players that 80% of the fans haven't watched play consistently or likely haven't even heard of. But talk about legacies and ranks and whether or not the Pats will trade up and wonder if they can actually draft a good WR for a change, then people will tune in with an opinion. That other stuff is great for the ESPN In articles, podcasts, draft specials and fan forums, but it doesn't make good radio.

I think Felger has two major beefs.
1 -Their spending and his belief that the Kraft's are in it to win enough, not win it all. I completely disagree with him, but I understand where he comes up with this stance. What do we care if they save money? Well, we care if it means they can sign more quality players. Ok, fine, but do they? If they have say $8million in space at the end of the year, so what? So they get some credit on next year's cap, so they can save money again? Next year is important, but how about worrying more about THIS year? That's how I interpret his stance. Again, I don't see it the same way, but it's not like his arguments completely lack merit.

2- Blind homerism - A large group of us Pats fans have a hard time when anyone criticizes our team to even the smallest degree. We're a prideful and overly-sensitive group. I am sure this is common with most pro-sports teams. Felger tweaks this group, it brings in ratings.

Aside from that I honestly don't think he's that extreme. I just think people get pissed enough over #2 that they don't see clearly through their rage.

DarrylS said:

Not sure why 98.5 would mess with this, EEI has an opportunity to make its move.. but they will remain the same... we deserve better.

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Given that "we" have made Felger/Mazz the #1 sports show..... "we" definitely do not deserve better. "We" deserve a whole lot worse.

Section103 said:

Middle of the road and "everything is awesome" doesn't get people listen

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Yes, which is something that saddens me greatly. The fact that you can create a viable business model out of being willfully stupid is not a positive reflection of humanity.

Section103 said:

I guess where we differ is that I don't see Felger as being so far out of the middle when it comes to analysis of the Pats

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He is. And he knows he is, that's the whole point.

Section103 said:

"In Bill we trust" is not analysis. Tom is the 'GOAT' is not analysis.

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Sure it is if you can support it with legitimate stats and discussion.

Section103 said:

but I will take it over the incessant injokes and blowhards of the old Big Show.

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The Big Show was a joke for different reasons.

Section103 said:

2- Blind homerism - A large group of us Pats fans have a hard time when anyone criticizes our team to even the smallest degree. We're a prideful and overly-sensitive group. I am sure this is common with most pro-sports teams. Felger tweaks this group, it brings in ratings.

Aside from that I honestly don't think he's that extreme. I just think people get pissed enough over #2 that they don't see clearly through their rage.

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I can't disagree with this more. The vast majority of "blind homerism" claims are fallacies after someone rebuts Felger-esque nonsense.

For example, we saw it earlier this year. Whenever someone would counter a "Brady is done!" claim with a rational argument, the response was "you're just a homer who can't accept the facts!" That's how that side works. They say ********, when the ******** is refuted, they build a straw man and accuse the caller of not being realistic. It's all a shell game. Virtually all Patriots "homers" are perfectly willing to hear - and capable of making - critical arguments about their team. It is nonsensical ******** that drives them up the wall, and it just so happens that nonsensical ******** is what most radio shows do best.

Felger is a joke. A money making joke, but a joke nonetheless.

Patjew said:

I couldn't stand Gresh's immature crap from a few years ago so I basically stopped listening to him. Maybe I should have given him another chance. I do like Zo.

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Agreed PJ. When Gresh was on the Score he was a sophomoric idiot. The Gresh of today is light years better in every way from the pig he used to be.