Had to listen to KNBR during part of the draft (driving home) and when Tyson got picked, those Einsteins, Murphy and Mac couldn't pronounce his name to save their alleged souls. Finally, Murph settled on "Alululu." then he asked if that was correct, and "Paulie Mac" (has there ever been a dumber handle?) and Rod Brooks, agreed: "yes, it's Alululu."

Don't expect KNBR's determined indifference to all things Cal to change anytime soon. First of all, zero cal fans call in. Second, no cal people work there. You got guys from UNLV, Arizona, USF, LSU, ND, UCLA, Stanford...pretty much every school in the country except Cal.

That said, in [very] limited doses I find Radnich entertaining.

Barbieri is on record as being a CAL supporter, but he also also less than enthused about college vs. the pros.

Radnich = smug, annoying
Fitz & Brooks = disaster
Ralph & Tom = not bad, but the tangents get lengthy and annoying
FP = like this guy, he has a bright future in broadcasting
D. Bruce = probably the best in The Bay for hard core sports fans.

Radnich used to be pretty good. A friend and former Daily Cal writer worked for/with him for a brief spell some years ago at KRON and she liked him. Over the past several years, however, he seems to have either gotten crankier or been asked to bend to the current radio trend and be more contentious. It comes across as disingenuous. Why try to portray yourself as a prick (which he does at times with callers and co-hosts) when a) it wreaks of insincerity and b) that's not who you are?

I used to like Radnich and don't have a big problem with him but he often can't finish a sentence/thought without interrupting himself to go in another direction and can get tediously boring when talking about obscure college players from the 60s and 70s. I do listen sometimes to his show with Tony Bruno.

His act is still better than any amount of time spent listening to Ralph Barbieri, whose pompous blathering I subject myself to only because I sometimes need my sports fix, his nasal tone voice is simultaneously on both 680 and 1050, and Tolbert really makes me laugh sometimes.

Regarding Barbieri, is there anyone with a less appropriate sign off slogan than his "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly"? This guy loves the sound of his own voice more than life itself. Further, he simply has no regard or courtesy for someone else who is speaking. Whether it be co-host, guest, caller or otherwise, when he wants to say something he'll talk right over them. That guy is a true prick.

+1

Rod Brooks is dumber than a doorknob.

Beardog26;319425 said:

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Radnich used to be pretty good. A friend and former Daily Cal writer worked for/with him for a brief spell some years ago at KRON and she liked him. Over the past several years, however, he seems to have either gotten crankier or been asked to bend to the current radio trend and be more contentious. It comes across as disingenuous. Why try to portray yourself as a prick (which he does at times with callers and co-hosts) when a) it wreaks of insincerity and b) that's not who you are?

I used to like Radnich and don't have a big problem with him but he often can't finish a sentence/thought without interrupting himself to go in another direction and can get tediously boring when talking about obscure college players from the 60s and 70s. I do listen sometimes to his show with Tony Bruno.

His act is still better than any amount of time spent listening to Ralph Barbieri, whose pompous blathering I subject myself to only because I sometimes need my sports fix, his nasal tone voice is simultaneously on both 680 and 1050, and Tolbert really makes me laugh sometimes.

Regarding Barbieri, is there anyone with a less appropriate sign off slogan than his "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly"? This guy loves the sound of his own voice more than life itself. Further, he simply has no regard or courtesy for someone else who is speaking. Whether it be co-host, guest, caller or otherwise, when he wants to say something he'll talk right over them. That guy is a true prick.

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I have to agree with your analysis of Radnich. I liked him a lot in the past; but the last few years he has become a jerk.

SonomaBear;319418 said:

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Radnich = smug, annoying
Fitz & Brooks = disaster
Ralph & Tom = not bad, but the tangents get lengthy and annoying
FP = like this guy, he has a bright future in broadcasting
D. Bruce = probably the best in The Bay for hard core sports fans.

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Spot on. I'd add "irrelevant" to Radnich's description. And the words "total" and/or "complete" in front of Fitz & Brooks'.

The guy takes every opportunity to slam Cal. Even his complements are backhanded. Look I am ok with a guy who loves his alma mater. Murphy wants to talk about UCLA, great. But don't be a hater. Murphy's anti-Cal remarks have almost an "Amy" like quality to them. Listening to the draft coverage yesterday I heard Murphy crowing early that a Bruin could get picked in the first round. Not only did that not happen, 2 Cal players were picked in the first round. No other Pac 10 school had a player picked in the first round. I think Murphy probably broke out in hives as a result.

This morning I listened to KNBR's draft recap on the local teams picks. Not sure I heard one mention of Best or Alualu. These are local guys, picked in the first round. I had stopped listening to the morning show because Murphy is such an anti-Cal dbag. Not planning on listening again. Given all the Cal alums in the area you would think management would care all the listeners he alienates.

SonomaBear;319418 said:

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Barbieri is on record as being a CAL supporter, but he also also less than enthused about college vs. the pros.

Radnich = smug, annoying
Fitz & Brooks = disaster
Ralph & Tom = not bad, but the tangents get lengthy and annoying
FP = like this guy, he has a bright future in broadcasting
D. Bruce = probably the best in The Bay for hard core sports fans.

---

Pretty much.

Pauley Mac deserves a mention as one of the worst things on the radio. I'm not sure what his actual function is, but it probably involves his "soft hands" and/or "pretty mouth".

Agree with all the criticisms about KNBR, the only guy I sort of like is D. Bruce.

I recommend Herd in the a.m. on 1050, kind of pompous but at least intelligent and entertaining, 860 when they're doing sports, and 1140, out of Sacto.

what's the appeal of Bruce? Is there some self-satisfaction as a listener to know that someone who gets paid to talk sports for a living knows so little about the teams he's talking about? Is there some need for more holier-than-thou crap in peoples' lives?

Murph: Why even work in the Bay Area, you idiot?
Radnich: I've enjoyed him, some, over the years. Lots less, now.
Brooks: Talks a lot. Says nothing.
Barbieri: Gotta buck the trend, I like him... wish he had gone to Cal.
Tolbert: Love him. Again, wish he had gone to Cal.
Bruce: It's like everything he says comes out of a focus group for what American males "want" in a sports talk show host. Can't listen.
Wanted: Somebody with a little "Go Bears!"

... is that he was born with only three fingers on his left hand. In my younger days me and my friends used to call Radnich "The Claw" and would comment during his television broadcasts about how deftly Gary would hide his left hand.

Radnich's mother believes that this physical attribute may have motivated him in his athletic endeavors. He played BB at BYU on scholarship and then at UNLV.

Just FYI.

Radnich and Bruno are a couple of turds. Their typical peculiar brand of "conversation": Radnich says that he likes Gerald McCoy in the draft, and Bruno will add that he loved Julie McCoy on "The Love Boat". He'll want to show how smart he is so will add that she was played by Lauren Tewes, and Radnich will think that it's interesting to point out that another Lauren -- clothier Ralph -- was a decent baseball player in grade school. Bruno will ignore him and throw out more "Love Boat" names -- "Isaac the Bartender!" -- and Radnich will say that while he was at UNLV he once saw Isaac Hayes in the stands, and that he was a defensive lineman in high school. Bruno will add that Woody Hayes was a great coach and Radnich will mention again that he played college ball, once facing a team featuring Hayes' son at the point. Bruno will announce that he loves Philly cheesesteaks and then they'll take a couple phone calls. Repeat for several hours.

Brian Murphy is the Worst
The guy takes every opportunity to slam Cal. Even his complements are backhanded. Look I am ok with a guy who loves his alma mater. Murphy wants to talk about UCLA, great. But don't be a hater. Murphy's anti-Cal remarks have almost an "Amy" like quality to them. Listening to the draft coverage yesterday I heard Murphy crowing early that a Bruin could get picked in the first round. Not only did that not happen, 2 Cal players were picked in the first round. No other Pac 10 school had a player picked in the first round. I think Murphy probably broke out in hives as a result.

This morning I listened to KNBR's draft recap on the local teams picks. Not sure I heard one mention of Best or Alualu. These are local guys, picked in the first round. I had stopped listening to the morning show because Murphy is such an anti-Cal dbag. Not planning on listening again. Given all the Cal alums in the area you would think management would care all the listeners he alienates.





+1
that dude is the worst of the lot.... and they are all horrrrrible save Tolbert.

GB54;319448 said:

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Rod Brooks is dumber than a doorknob.

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Roots for Stanford (used to do their broadcasts?), hates Cal

You left out "good knowledge, Garrrr"

UrsaMajor;319387 said:

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Had to listen to KNBR during part of the draft (driving home) and when Tyson got picked, those Einsteins, Murphy and Mac couldn't pronounce his name to save their alleged souls. Finally, Murph settled on "Alululu." then he asked if that was correct, and "Paulie Mac" (has there ever been a dumber handle?) and Rod Brooks, agreed: "yes, it's Alululu."

---

I can understand going with ah-LOO-ah-LOO, since that's just a stress placement difference from AH-loo-AH-loo...

... but how dense do you have to be to get alululu from "alu-alu?"

garjinga;319472 said:

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Pretty much.

Pauley Mac deserves a mention as one of the worst things on the radio. I'm not sure what his actual function is, but it probably involves his "soft hands" and/or "pretty mouth".

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:rollinglaugh::bigpuke:

Paulie Mac is a buffoon. Murph isn't bad if he's talking golf or Giants Baseball. But his college football knowledge is pretty pitiful. In general, the KNBR hosts don't know much outside the teams they are the flagship station for: (Giants/49ers/Warriors)

Proof: In the last 24 hours, Brian Murphy has dropped "Alu-Lulu" and Gary Radnich last night (on KRON) declared that Jahvid Best (who he once referred to in an interview as "Jahvid Lynch") was a 1st round pick of the Buffalo Bills :crazy Way to go KNBR...

SonomaBear;319418 said:

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Barbieri is on record as being a CAL supporter, but he also also less than enthused about college vs. the pros.

---

I find that very hard to believe. I lost all respect for the Joe Pesci wannabe when he spent two whole shows ripping on fellow host, Rick Barry, because the Hall of Famer dared to criticize him. I thought he was going to pull a gun out and shoot Barry.

I don't know if this was the same show, or comments directed at the events occurring in that show, but several years ago Pesci wannabe and Barry (himself no lovable character) went toe to toe in a "Face Off." I could not believe my ears when Pesci wannabe openly complained that Barry was interrupting him and pleaded for a chance to be heard.

I have never in my life heard anyone interrupt others on a more frequent and regular basis than that inconsiderate, self centered parasite. A truly inspirational message of how not to conduct yourself in a social setting.

I've ripped KNBR in numerous posts over the past year. In short, they may have the largest wattage for a sports station in the country, however their personality lineup is horrible. Considering the bay area has 3 sports stations to choose from, the lineups are pretty grim.

680am
Murph & Mac-D Two d-bags, one who understand some sports but, as been pointed out, takes full liberties to backhand Cal. Mac does not belong on a sports show. Only saving grace is the regular shows with Krukow & Kuiper.

Gary Radnich-F Can there be a greater blowhard on the air? Who was the top sports personality in the bay area is now a windbag who's increasingly irrelevant. I was hoping Bruno could steer the conversation back to sports in the beginning...no chance now.

Fitz & Brooks-C They do talk sports..even college football, Fitz is full of himself and Brooks on occasion will spark some interesting commentary; for who they are and their content, they fit for the mid-day slot.

Barbieri & Tolbert-F Considering they are billed as the top sports show and get double airing on 1050, they fail miserably. Tolbert adds humor and lightness, as well as perspective. Barbieri unfortunately is an insufferable, pompous ass who's inability to separate his political/social leanings from sports discussions is one of his many failings. Like Radnich, he talks over his guests, he's not very well informed on the broad scope of the bay area sports scene and can easily be swayed into off-topic tangents. Ohh, and they know very little about college sports, let alone college football.

FP Santangelo- incomplete. Looks to capture the twenty something sports fan. Brings a former ballplayer's perspective, doesn't take himself too seriously.


1050am
Mike & Mike in the Morning-A Currently the leading radio sports personality & syndication in the country.

Colin Cowherd-C National Syndication. He can be grating with his self adulation however, he talks sports and has an opinion, which is more than what most of the bay area show hosts can say.

Jim Rome- B National syndicated personality who constantly has an impressive lineup of guests. Style and format is modern encouraging self-serving callers who "have a take" rather than the common Q&A.

Damon Bruce-B Ousted from KNBR due to his strong opinion of the Giants but, due to his high ratings was moved downstairs and into a new time slot rather than the "Larry Krueger treatment". One of the few bay area sports personalities that discusses sports all the time, keeps it humorous and is willing to take various teams to task.

Tony Bruno- C Taking a page from Radnich, Bruno brings his show late night with much of the discussions centering on sports & popular entertainment. Competes with Santangelo for the single-twenty something male audience.

Dan Patrick- C Recorded. National sports syndication of former ESPN personality. Unique format with multiple co-hosts.

860am
Tim Brando- C Polarizing sports host and commentator. Brings sports talk from the South; reminds me of Radnich without the severe tangents.

Rick Tittle- B Only Bay Area sports hosts who can honestly talk about all bay area sports with a decent level of knowledge. Not a charismatic voice, however, he talks sports and should be heard by more.

JJ & the Mouth- D JJ Stokes and Geoff Sheen bring a somewhat amateur hour nationally syndicated sports talk show. They do talk sports, however, Stokes is an idiot and Sheen reminds me of Money from Petros & Money show in SoCal.

Sporting News Radio- Haven't listened.

Ron Barr- B Long time sports personality who's show is interview format only. In depth discussions with guests.

JT the Brick- F One of the most difficult sports personalities to listen too. In your face personality, lots of screaming and ranting. Self appointed mouth piece for the "true Raider-fan and the Black Hole".

I actually enjoy listening to Barbieri and Tolbert. I think Barbieri asks some pretty awful questions though; they tend to begin with a quote by Socrates or Churchill, meander around some of Barbieri's opinions, stop by Amici's pizzeria for a slice, then finally end up at: "So what I'm asking is, how was it to play for Nelly?"

How can anyone hate Ralph "Vis-a-vis" Barbieri???

Being a huge Giants fan, I am not quite as critical. But from a Cal perspective, yes.

Also, does anyone else tune in to Sports radio mostly to just be entertained? I rarely care about their opinions. Half of us know more than most of them anyways

Beardog26;319425 said:

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Regarding Barbieri, is there anyone with a less appropriate sign off slogan than his "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly"? This guy loves the sound of his own voice more than life itself. ... That guy is a true prick.

---

Completely agree. I've considered calling and asking him if his sign off line was intended to be ironic. It's about as far from reality as it can get.

Of the radio personalities I have heard in this group, you have summarized it quite well.

Not mentioned in all this is that Lee Hammer, who is the Program Director and de facto head honcho over there (since Tony Salvadore's sacking by Cumulus Corporate) is a huge Stanford fan and alum.

Including the Board Ops, they don't have a single guy there with a Cal pedigree:

Murph: UCLA
Mac: Who Know's
Radnich: UNLV
Fitz: Notre Dame
Brooks: LSU
Tolbert: UofA
Ralph:bigpuke:: USF Dons
F.P.: Not sure... Miami
Damon Bruce: Indiana
Ray Woodson: UCLA (I think)
Patrick Conner (P-Con): Auburn
Dan Dibley: Cal St. Northridge (never graduated)

For those of you who like "D-Bruce"... I can tolerate his non-homer baseball views, but the guy is an absolutely horses a$$ when it comes to college football.

the sports (and sports coverage) in the Bay Area is an outright joke. Magowan sure did a number on my formerly beloved Giants. Now they are a collection of pitchers with no bats behind them, sad to watch. Sharks, Warriors, Niners, Cardinal, Raiders, wake me up when something besides Cal Football/Basketball actually warrants national attention.

GO BEARS!

BeggarEd;319734 said:

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F.P.: Not sure... Miami

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I think F.P. spent a year (or less, maybe) at Cal before moving on to Miami...?

WCC-TheBearingPoint;320176 said:

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Magowan sure did a number on my formerly beloved Giants. Now they are a collection of pitchers with no bats behind them, sad to watch. GO BEARS!

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Magowan still gets my support for keeping the Giants in SF and builing the stadium. He HUGE mistake was keeping Sabean around so long. He has overseen the worst draft record in the majors over the past 14 years (2 all stars produced) and don't get me started on free agent signings or trades.

UCBerzerkeley;319655 said:

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Also, does anyone else tune in to Sports radio mostly to just be entertained? I rarely care about their opinions. Half of us know more than most of them anyways

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I don't listen to it much anymore, but I can't imagine listening for any other reason. Sports radio guys are much like talk radio: they're more interested in entertainment value (which often means saying stupid/controversial stuff) and driving ratings than in delivering good information or reasoned opinions.

Another stupid comment from the KNBR team was right after the Jags drafted Tyson, I think Fitz stepped in with "Oh I'm sure there's a deal there for little/no bonus money because the Jags are cash strapped". Then I think Brooks followed with "Yeah, has to be the reason why they drafted Tyson in the 10th spot"

Now I'm sure both of those guys will retract their statement when the final contracts are done and Tyson gets a contract/bonus commiserate with his draft position.

Out of the KNBR lineup, the only guy I really like is Tolbert as he doesn't take himself too seriously and he roots for Pac-10 teams (of course Zona is always #1 with him but that's understanble). Also, he laced them up unlike many of his cohorts and has the insider viewpoint.

Beardog26;319425 said:

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Radnich used to be pretty good. A friend and former Daily Cal writer worked for/with him for a brief spell some years ago at KRON and she liked him. Over the past several years, however, he seems to have either gotten crankier or been asked to bend to the current radio trend and be more contentious. It comes across as disingenuous. Why try to portray yourself as a prick (which he does at times with callers and co-hosts) when a) it wreaks of insincerity and b) that's not who you are?

---

Fair enough, and I even know someone who worked for him and liked him as well. Except that he's always been a dork who couldn't give a rat's a88 about the college scene, especially Cal.