Mike and the Mad Dog burst the bubble of local newspapers' agenda

Mike and Chris in 1992, photo NY Daily News

• (Neil Best, 6/22/08): ""Mike and the Mad Dog" pioneered the sports talk radio genre, which still was in its infancy when the show debuted Sept. 5, 1989, and it quickly began to challenge
• the print media's traditional power and influence.*

Mike Francesa and Chris Russo often helped set the local sports agenda,

• influencing even what sports editors at newspapers considered

• important, to the dismay of their own reporters and columnists.

• At times, the duo had a direct impact on events, such as when they encouraged the Mets to pursue Mike Piazza in 1998."...

"Sportswatch: A Split Decision?" by Neil Best, Newsday, 6/22/08. Originally posted here 6/22/08.

• *Their interruption of 'the print media's traditional power and influence' was, of course, their most life-saving contribution. Assuming the public deserves more than one point of view. (sm)

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