My radio is tuned to WKNR-AM radio most of the day listening to sports talk. Lately, the station gets changed at 3:00 PM so I don’t have to listen to the ramblings of Kenny Roda. It is one thing to have opinions that people disagree with, that’s what talk radio is all about. But, when the facts are not right, and the host’s point of view is way out of whack, the show becomes unlistenable.
Yesterday, Roda was all up in arms about the Indians restructuring of Aaron Boone’s contract. He ranted about how he wanted to work for Indians’ owner Larry Dolan since he rewards mediocrity. Of course, Roda had the facts all wrong. In reality, Boone was already signed for the 2006 season, and gave the Indians money back, probably because he knows he is not having a good year. In exchange, the Tribe gave him a mutual option for the 2007 season. If Boone produces in ’06 like he has since June 1st, the Tribe got a great break. If he doesn’t, they are paying him less next year. Boone did an honorable thing, and Roda went crazy without reading the press release which said Boone restructured his deal for next year.
Roda played basketball at Baldwin-Wallace College, a Division III school, and he has a D-3 mentality about the game. He discounts the skills of Cavs’ All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and doesn’t understand what a big man who can score does for a team. Even the Miami Heat, who have Shaquille O’Neal double on Z in the post. Sure Z is never going to be Bill Russell on defense, but Larry Bird couldn’t guard anyone straight up either, the Celtics team philosophy covered up for him.
I realize he is pandering to the people who call his station, most of which are very emotional about the teams they follow, after all they are fans. But these callers want C.C. Sabathia traded everytime he has a bad game, and then want to give him the Cy Young Award when he pitches well. The host should lend some sanity to the program.
Another thing that bugs the crap out of me, is his constant talk about his son’s Hot Stove team and comparing them to the Indians. There is a huge difference with how you treat Major League ballplayers and how you treat kids. Adults, particularly pampered athletes will not tolerate the same things children will. Maybe Eric Wedge should take the Tribe to Dairy Queen after the game.
For people like me who want intelligent sports talk, afternoons at WKNR is not where to go.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 