Media Fred Toucher returns to Sports Hub morning show following treatment for throat problem Toucher said at the top of the “Toucher and Rich” program that he was diagnosed with leukoplakia, a condition associated with smoking that causes thick, white patches in the mouth and throat. The “Toucher and Rich” program on 98.5 The Sports Hub debuted in 2009. Cha-Chi Loprete
Fred Toucher returned to 98.5 The Sports Hub’s top-rated morning show Thursday, almost exactly a month after he took a leave of absence to seek treatment for a throat problem that was affecting his voice.
Toucher said at the top of the “Toucher and Rich” program that he was diagnosed with leukoplakia, a condition associated with smoking that causes thick, white patches in the mouth and throat. Toucher was a longtime smoker but said he has quit.
But the show, which had a massive 25.6 share in the most recent Nielsen Audio ratings, was not fully intact. Co-host Rich Shertenlieb was absent from the show. He did not immediately return messages asking why he was absent.
Advertisement:
Toucher and Shertenlieb have had remarkable success as co-hosts in the Boston market, first on rock station WBCN starting in 2006, then as the Sports Hub’s morning drive program beginning with the station’s launch in August 2009.
But there has been public tension between the hosts recently. In late April, Toucher sent a series of tweets lamenting what he said was a lack of support from Shertenlieb and other show personnel.
During the 8 a.m. hour, Toucher detailed what his last few weeks have been like, and apologized for the sequence of tweets accusing his coworkers of not being there for him.
Toucher said that when he first began having voice problems, he went to doctors who “scoped it and were like, eh, it’s no big deal, whatever, just keep doing what you’re doing,” he said.
But his voice worsened, and eventually he saw Dr. Steven Zeitels at Mass General on the recommendation of a listener who worked in the doctor’s office. Zeitels is well-known for helping Adele, Steven Tyler, Dick Vitale, and other celebrities overcome voice problems.
“So I go in there, and they put the tube down your nose, and he starts poking around like, “You’re throat has blown up,’’ said Toucher.
Advertisement:
Toucher said the doctor found a mass on his vocal cords that he believed was cancerous. Because the swelling around it was so bad, surgery wasn’t immediately an option. The doctor told Toucher not to talk for two weeks and get back to him.
Toucher was also told that he needed to quit smoking. He said he began smoking as an 11-year-old but has not for 40 days. When he returned to see Dr. Zeitels again, he was told his throat looked much better and soon had the procedure to scrape off the leukoplakia.
Toucher, who was joined by Jon Wallach and Ryan Johnston on the show, apologized for his tweets saying his colleagues weren’t supporting him, explaining that he was afraid that he had cancer and his career might be over and that he was in a poor frame of mind.
“[The tweets were] completely unfair,’’ said Toucher. “I talked to Jon, I talked to Rich, [he] had offered his connections at Dana Farber [Shertenlieb’s wife, Mary, is a cancer survivor], he had offered these things. In retrospect, it was a stupid thing to do. … I was sitting home scared of all this happening, not that this is an excuse. So there you go.”
Advertisement:
Fred Toucher returns to Sports Hub following throat treatment
Recent Comments
Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on
GameFly Sale Offering Nintendo Switch Sports at a Mind-Blowing Price, Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on
The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on
Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on
San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on
Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on
‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on
Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on
Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on
If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on
How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on
Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on
Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on
Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on
Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on
Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on
Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on
‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on
Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on
A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on
2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on
2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on
Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on
After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on
Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on
Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on
Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on
Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on
CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on
“Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on
CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on
Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on
Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on
Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on
A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on