Bob Raissman: Mike Francesa and Mad Dog Russo together again … just don’t call it a reunion

ESPN suits are billing next Wednesday’s “First Take” session featuring Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa and Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo as a Mike and the Mad Dog “reunion.”
At best the Bristol Faculty is bending the truth. At worst, it is lying. The mere presence of Stephen A. Smith in the middle of all this (and Molly Qerim serving as moderator/referee) drastically changes the equation. SAS is not on the scene to serve as Dog’s groomer, kiss the Pope’s ring, or take a stroll with both down Memory Lane.
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See, the Way-Back-Machine is designed to put viewers (and Francesa) to sleep. SAS is not there to listen to Francesa and Russo, aka FranDog, tell old stories (as they have done in their many previous reunions) about their stormy relationship or the Pink Cadillac.
Smith tipped his hand when he recently set the agenda after hearing Francesa say “one week” was not enough time to prepare for a session with the sports brainiacs of “First Take.” SAS countered, telling the Pontiff, “Don’t lie to America.
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“…I’m the one being outnumbered,” Smith said. “I’m the one who has the tsunami about to come down on me.”
Mike Francesa (l.) will join old pal Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ next week. (Cindy Ord)
Russo didn’t accept SAS’ Pity Party invite. Not only did he not deny this would be FranDog, taking on Stephen A. Smith but doubled down on the notion, saying: “… Me and Mike had our riffs over 20 years…For once, since 1989 we are [going to be] joined together.”
Smith warned FranDog: “Don’t underestimate me.” His words set the scene: SAS, the hottest property on Sports TV, taking on two legends, or as Smith calls them, “The Institution.”
Yet, those tuning in should be warned it will only be a matter of time before either 1) Francesa and Russo fragment, making this an every-man-for-himself affair, 2) Russo joins forces with Smith, the man responsible for putting him on “First Take” (and Russo’s $10,000 per show payday), 3) Francesa, uses what’s left of his sports talk wizardry, and condescending style, in an attempt to steal the show.
If our speculation becomes reality, look for the encounter to produce some sparky television. Stuff that is more watchable than uninterrupted soliloquies or extended blather designed to bogart the spotlight.
But the real hope here (especially if Francesa sees this as an opportunity for more “First Take” or ESPN appearances) is that over the course of two hours, Francesa and Russo turn on each other and really go at it.
SAS? He can sit back, laugh, mug for the camera and revel in the chaos he created.
SALUTE TO SWEENY
The recent departure of Sweeny Murti, WFAN’s Yankees reporter, is not only a big loss for listeners, but a sign of where the station is at.
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Long gone are the days when FAN put a premium on trying to break news. Or at least have a guy like Murti on the scene with the Bombers, which positioned him to go on the air and present an informed take on what was happening on the field and in the clubhouse. Murti brought credibility, especially when contrasted to the irrational ravings of show hosts.
Financially, the radio biz is in the toilet causing stations like FAN to be in drastic cost cutting mode. FAN now gets its “news” from a variety of “free” sources including (not always accurate) Twitter. FAN brainiacs, for whatever reasons, never found a way to monetize Murti.
Too bad. Not only is Murti versatile (reporter, pre and postgame host, play-by-play) he has a singular personality developed over 30 years working in N.Y. radio. Likeable, but tough, Murti also is an inquisitive force during Aaron Boone’s press conferences on YES, making each one of the information gathering expeditions more entertaining.
On SNY’s “Baseball Night in New York,” he consistently brings solid Yankees info and unique insight, to balance out what is a Metscentric show.
Simply put, Sweeny Murti is one of those trusted voices of New York baseball. That trust is hard to earn. It would be shameful if Murti’s voice is stilled over economics and the money game.
ROMO-MANIA FADES
Since he took the NFL TV world by storm when he debuted as CBS’ No. 1 analyst in 2017, Tony Romo has found the top of the mountain slippery.
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Criticized for his casual presence and stream-of-consciousness style, Romo, who will work Sunday’s Bengals-Chiefs AFC Championship with Jim Nantz, has taken it on the chin on social media, from Valley of the Stupid Gasbags and any number of other interested parties.
Some have even questioned his overall preparation. It’s not a reach to suggest Romo, and the suits at CBS Sports, set the bar too high. Romo initially captivated viewers by predicting plays before they happened. That hook, and some fortuitous timing, led to Romo signing a contract extension in 2020 worth an eye-popping $17 million per.
[ Bob Raissman: Phil Simms needs to be in the mix in the great NFL booth shuffle ]
The contract would be hard for any voice to live up to, especially an inexperienced broadcaster who started at the top.
Get it? There was no place for Romo to go but down.
HALL OF A BELTRAN DEBATE
One of the more compelling storylines prior to the Hall of Fame announcing its newest class on Tuesday was whether Carlos Beltran’s involvement in the Astros 2017 cheating scandal would keep him out of the Hall in his first year on the ballot.
The crew (Sal Licata, Anthony McCarron, John Harper and Terry Collins) on SNY’s “Baseball Night in New York” mixed it up pretty good, with Harper — who said Beltran not getting in on the first ballot was “punishment enough” — taking on the other three mouths. The trio took a more laissez-faire stance on Beltran’s role in the scandal.
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Licata skillfully anchored the intense session, keeping a lid on the proceedings. On this occasion, he elected not to go full Mets pom-poms.
[ Bill Madden: Scott Rolen benefits from weak ballot to make Hall of Fame, while Jeff Kent continues to get left behind ]
AROUND THE DIAL
Sir Seth Abraham will be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in June during ceremonies at the Canastota, N.Y.-based Hall. The former HBO Sports boss will become the 12th member of the network to enter the Hall. Abraham, who negotiated with the likes of Don King and Bob Arum, should have plenty of stories — and jokes — to tell during his induction speeches. … There’s one slight problem with the VOS going gaga over the possibility of Aaron Rodgers being traded to the Jets. Hot air rarely informs the unwashed masses that the Packers QB has never said he wants to play for the star-crossed franchise. … Following the marathon Giants WFAN postgame show after the Eagles debacle, Danielle McCartan opened her soiree saying she wants to be in the running for the Yankees gig, which Sweeny Murti recently left. Talk about not waiting for the ice to melt. On the other hand, McCartan’s job pitch mercifully delayed having to talk about Big Blue’s collapse. … In case anyone does not remember, Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo claims he was the first mouth to bash Tony Romo, the broadcaster. Make sure the Radio Hall of Fame adds this incredibly important tidbit to Dog’s list of accomplishments.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: BOB UECKER
For celebrating his 89th birthday. With all the controversy surrounding the state of the game, there still is the comforting wit and humor from Mr. Baseball. Or as one Twitter pundit put it, Uecker is: “Just a good dude.”
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: SHANNON SHARPE
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Arguing with Skip Bayless must not excite him anymore. Why else would the Fox Sports mouth instigate a verbal skirmish with Dillon Brooks and other Grizzlies players at a recent Grizz-Lakers tilt? As a former NFL player, Sharpe knows exactly what line spectators shouldn’t cross. Sharpe did apologize for his lame maneuver
DOUBLE TALK
What Joe Schoen said: “Saquon [Barkley] is a good player and he’s a great teammate.”
What Joe Schoen meant to say: “Saquon might not fit into our budget.”