Random Thoughts (July 15, 2009)

The big story in Boston sports today is that CBS Radio will close down the legendary rock station 104.1 WBCN and create a sports talk station at 98.5 called the Sports Hub. The music station WBMX (Mix) will move from 98.5 to 104.1 on the FM dial. WBCN will still be available online. The Sports Hub will be in direct competition with Boston sports talk giant WEEI. This will be the third station this decade to compete with 'EEI, following the Sporting News backed 1510 The Zone and ESPN 890. Both are still on the air but neither could put a dent into WEEI's ratings. Michael Felger will leave WEEI and join the Sports Hub. Felger hosted the 3-6 afternoon drive show on ESPN 890 but could not defeat Glenn Ordway's "Big Show." Felger returned to WEEI as a radio personality and football writer. Felger's partner on Comcast's "New England Sports Tonight" television show, Gary Tanguay, will also be on the new station. The Sports Hub will also be the home on the radio for both the Patriots and Bruins. Following the lead of Bruce Allen at Boston Sports Media Watch, this is the lineup of radio personalities that I want to hear on the new station: 6am - 10am: Bill Simmons (bring him back to Boston and replace Shank at the Globe in the same move) with Ryan Russilo 10am - 2pm: Gary Tanguay and Bob Lobel 2pm - 6pm: Michael Felger, Kevin Winter, Joe Haggerty, and Sean McDonough 6pm - 12am: Barstool Sports bloggers with Mark Linehan I have been listening to sports radio since I was a kid (how many other people my age spent their Saturday mornings listening to Steve Buckley's "Quality Hang?") and it's time that a station steps up and knocks off WEEI. 'EEI has become the WWF of Boston sports radio. They got rid of their competition (WCW/1510 The Zone & 890 ESPN) and have become stale without a true rival to push them. Boston deserves a quality, local sports talk station to either bring out the best in WEEI or crush them... If this rumor becomes a fact, I would be on the first plane to Spain to play with Ricky Rubio and DKV Joventut if I were Blake Griffin... Theo Epstein: "Jason, we are going to give you a 5-year/$70-million contract. We love you. You play hard all the time. You hit for power. You play a very good left field. You run the bases. You never draw any negative attention to yourself. We love you." Jason Bay: "I accept. I love the Red Sox. I love Fenway Park. I love Boston. Where do I sign?" It should be that simple... Enjoy a boring SportsCenter tonight...