Bob Ryan from the Boston Globe

Bangor’s sports station, WZON, has again had another successful event. This time it was having Bob Ryan, long-time sports reporter for The Boston Globe, come and speak to a group of 350+ sports fans at the Bangor Event Center tonight.

For only $10 per ticket, we were treated to over 90 minutes of Mr Ryan’s incredible knowledge of all things Boston-sports. While a majority of the conversation was focused on the Red Sox (AL Wild Card team) who are getting ready for the post-season, and the New England Patriots, who have started their new season decently while questions about Tom Brady’s recovery from the off-season knee surgery continue to bounce around the great Northeast, he also touched upon the Boston Bruins, who will be starting their season tomorrow night, and the Boston Celtics who have just started training camp.

Mr. Ryan was asked “which Boston athlete has/had the biggest ego”: Roger Clemens. He was asked greatest Celtic player: Bill Russell. Regarding Boston Bruins #4, Bobby Orr, Bob Ryan feels that he was the greatest hockey player....EVER. While tipping his cap to the incredible talent of Wayne Gretzky, he singled out that in Orr’s days, the defensemen pretty much stuck to defense and would only score 15 or 20 points a season. But Orr came in and would get 100 points in a season, and would give a check as well as he would take one, something that Gretzky didn’t do very much of.

He also discussed other Boston sports related topics such as Celtics announcer Johnny Most (“some stories I just can’t tell”), Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, Celtic Larry Bird, Fenway Park’s upgrades, his honest opinion that the Yankees are the likely team to win the World Series this year (and since they’ve spent over $423 million trying to buy another championship, it seems that this year they’ve finally bought their best opportunity in the past 10 years, he said), and his inside info on the ESPN show Pardon The Interruption and hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, crediting executive producer Erik Rydholm with creating the countdown-clock format, the games on the show, the 5-Good-Minutes segment and others. Bob did say that Kornheiser and Wilbon have been friends for a long time due to their jobs at the Washington Post and apparently they would have these sports-talks, going back and forth on a topic and then switching topics. Somewhere along the line, it became a show for ESPN, and Rydholm was instrumental in giving the show it’s format, a format that is copied by so many other shows now. And by the way, PTI has been on the air for 8 years now!

Prior to his presentation, Ann Marie’s Kitchen had a buffet (part of the ticket fee) which was great. I mention this because in addition to WZON, there are other sponsors who help bring these types of events up here to our area. Thanks also to EBS Building Supply, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Charles Dean Memorial Hospital, Dunnet Inc, and the Bangor Daily News for making this one happen.

Before his presentation ended, Bob was asked: who is the better writer, him (Ryan) or Dan Shaughnessy (another Boston Globe writer). Bob acknowledged that they’re both good writers and the Globe is lucky to have them! haha! He did the straighten-my-tie move as he said it. Good stuff.

WZON's Jeff Solari (left) with Bob Ryan (that's my Bruins jersey on the wall, by the way)

Thanks always to the WZON crew - Dale Duff, Clem LaBree, Jeff Solari, Pat Spekhardt, Toby Nelson, and the sales staff (Bill, Carrie, Kenny V and Jim), the interns and anybody I missed. The biggest thanks go to Bob Ryan for taking time out of a very busy schedule to come up to our little neck of New England: Bangor, Maine.

WZON Hot Stove Night

January 26, 2009

This is the sixth year that WZON has hosted its Hot Stove Night event. While this was only my second time to go (last year being the first), I can say that this year’s was just as good as last years. It’s hard for me to pick one over the other as far as one being better.

This year’s event, held last night (Monday), saw the return of the two men who were last years guests: Joe Castiglione (on his sixth visit), and Gordon Edes (on his third). And joining them for his first experience with this great event was Don Orsillo, the NESN Red Sox announcer.

For nearly 120 minutes these three guys gave us insight into the Red Sox’s off-season, trades that have occurred, where they see the Red Sox going in the 2009 season, and also some personal stories which were very funny.

A special guest this year was Bangor-resident and current Philadelphia Phillie Matt Stairs. Matt was crucial in the Phillies run to the World Series, where they won by beating the Tampa Bay Rays. Matt was there to receive an award he got as Sports Story of the year, voted on by WZON listeners and Bangor Daily News readers (his two run homer against the Dodgers in the NLCS). He seemed very humbled by the honor and in receiving the award. The crowd, despite being a Red Sox crowd, gave him a standing ovation and cheered loudly when he took the stage to receive the award from Dale Duff, the PD of WZON. And even better, Matt was sitting RIGHT BEHIND ME! That’s right Philly fans…your player was at a Red Sox meeting, and I think he loved it. (Matt coaches the local John Bapst hockey team during the off-season when he is living back in Bangor.) Did you know that Matt has hit over 10 home runs a year for his past 13 seasons?

Matt Stairs (Philadelphia Phillies) and Dale Duff (WZON)

Don offered a funny story of when he was 21 and broadcasting AHL games, as the “rookie” who was announcing for former NHL players, he told of a time when his luggage somehow disappeared on a trip to the Eastern Canadian coast for a string of games, but the players were showing up on the bus wearing his shirts. They had kidnapped his luggage and were wearing his clothes!

As questions were put forth, they each offered their own take on the question, but I found it most interesting (and awesome) to hear Gordon say that he fully wants to Jason Veritek back with the Red Sox next year. Tek has been getting a lot of negative press, mostly to do with the decrease in his offense this past year, but for a catcher to try to come into the Sox and work with these pitchers…there’s no one better suited than Jason Veritek. Joe and Don both agreed with Gordon that Tek needs to be here at least one more year. Take that, Tek-haters. (Did you know that only one catcher in MLB history has caught 4 no-hitters? Any idea who that is? If you said VERITEK you’d be right.)

(left to right): Gordon Edes, Joe Castiglione and Don Orsillo at WZON Hot Stove Night

Joe again, like last year, offered his take on baseball happenings with the Red Sox is his light, breezy way. He noted that he left 80degree, sunny Florida to come up to this event (it was near 10 degrees last night), asking, “Can you believe it?”

Sponsors of the event had games to play (tossing ball through a hole to get into a drawing for a $100 bill); raffle for Portland SeaDogs tickets; raffles for Red Sox tickets; and one sponsor even had lobstah rolls and clam chowdah for us.

At the close of the event, everyone sticks around not only for the autograph session, but also because WZON raffles off the three recliners/chairs that Joe, Gordon and Don sat in, as well as Red Sox tickets, photo-mints (I won the Red Sox Opening Day 2008 photo-mint – when the Sox got their rings for the 2007 World Series) and other items.

WZON Staff included: Dale Duff, Clem Labree, Jeff Solari, Pat Spekhardt, Bobby Russell, Sales Goddess Carrie, Lost-fan Jen, Big Bill, and Kenny V, to name a few.

All in all, another great Hot Stove Night put on by WZON, their staff and the sponsors. Thanks to Joe, Gordon and Don for making this trip, a trip that both Gordon and Joe say they love to come up for because they know the reaches of Red Sox Nation stretch quite a ways above Boston.

(left to right): Don Orsillo, Gordon Edes, Joe Castiglione at WZON Hot Stove Night

Looking forward to having them all (?) back next year. And, hoping I win tickets again…

WZON Hot Stove Night....The Buildup

It's that time of year when Bangor's sports leader in radio, WZON, begins the hype for their upcoming 6th Annual Hot Stove Night. You may remember my post about it last year. It's a time to talk about the Boston Red Sox with people who know the team and players far better than any of the fans.

This year will see the return of Red Sox radio announcer Joe Castiglione and former Boston Globe writer Gordon Eades, now with Yahoo Sports, as the special guests. Joining them this year will also be Don Orsillo, Red Sox announcer on NESN. That is a wicked awesome line-up.

There will be the return of tons of free food at the event, free drinks (non alcohol), and a whole lot of giveaways....from leather recliners to Red Sox tickets to ice fishing gear and MORE!!

The only way to get a pair of tickets to this event, of which there are only 500 tickets available, is to be the correct caller when you hear WZON play the special sounder/jingle. Last year was the first year I had the opportunity to attend, and I won tickets pretty early in their giveaway. This year they just started to give the tickets away for this January 26, 2009 event yesterday. And I'm happy to report that yours truly, TFKoP, scored his pair of tickets last night! YEAH BABY! Can't wait.....


The only bummer is that there will be one thing that won't be accompanying them this year that did last year....the World Series Trophy. Unless Bangor, ME resident and Philadelphia Philly Matt Stairs comes to the event and brings it with him.

Rolling Cooler

This past Tuesday night at WZON’s monthly Fenway Faithful Club gathering, I came in second of three in a Joe Castiglione impression contest. Now, none of us came anywhere close to the casual grace that is the Voice of the Boston Red Sox. But, since we gave a shot, we all got a prize.

My prize? I got a rolling cooler made by Igloo. That’s right, a rolling cooler.

I am now, officially, a Real Man of Genius.

TFKoP Note: I do not endorse the drinking of any product by Anheiser-Busch as it all tastes like the inside of a cow's rectum. They do, however, know how to hire good marking firms.

World Series Trophy and Hot Stove Night

The World Series trophy was in my hometown yesterday, but it was at the WZON Hot Stove Night that I was able to get a picture of...and with....the trophy.

Pretty cool, eh?

Joe Castiglione and Gordon Edes were very entertaining with their Red Sox stories, in addition to providing insight on the Red Sox and their decisions involving acquiring players and setting up for the long baseball season. They also told some amusing stories about their experiences and also some of baseball players, both current and past.

Joe Castiglione (left) and Gordon Edes talking about the Red Sox

I had a great time at this event despite the three tools sitting in front of us who wouldn't shut up for the whole event...chit chatting amongst themselves - loudly. Others around us were in disbelief that these three dudes could be so rude. And then the lead tool asked the dumbest question of the night: "With Terry Francona and the Red Sox winning the World Series twice in four years, does this mean we're going to be stuck with that bum (Francona) as the head coach for a long time?" Yeah....this idiot actually thinks Terry Francona is a "bum" for a manager.

Thankfully, both Joe and Gordon pointed out that this "bum" has won two World Series in four years for the Red Sox, the first of which ended their 86-year drought, and most importantly, he's 8-0 in both World Series appearances! The crowd cheered in support of the greatness of Francona's managing ability as the dingbat sat back down...and immediately started mumbling to his other buddies. Did he actually think anybody would agree with his imbicilic question about Francona being a bum? Again I have to say...what a tool.

The idiot and his band of noobs did not ruin the evening, though, as the crowd was so into the event and it was obvious that both Joe and Gordon did not see this evening event as something they were obligated to do, but something they loved to do....and that is to sit around with other fans talking baseball.

And there was food and drinks: red hot dogs (natch), popcorn, chicken wings, lobster rolls, Cracker Jack and Pepsi products. The sponsors all had sign up boxes for raffles where you could win anything from $100 cash, to a modern ice fishing trap (this was a much sought after item...this is Maine after all!), dinner for two, to name a few. At the end of the event, WZON even raffled off the recliners that Joe and Gordon sat in during the evening!

A thanks from myself and my chummy who went with me to WZON, Joe Castiglione, Gordon Edes, the Bangor Civic Center and all of the awesome sponsors who supported this event. It was a blast, and I can't wait until next year for it to come back.

And with any luck, the 2008 World Series Trophy will be coming with them....

Talkin' Red Sox Baseball

For the past five years, WZON Sports Talk Radio (620AM) in Bangor, Maine has had the privilege of hosting a hot stove night with Red Sox radio announcer Joe Castiglione. He brings with him Gordon Edes from the Boston Globe this year. It wasn't until I moved back here to Maine that I heard about this event, and of course have not ever attended since I was living 600 miles down I95 in Philadelphia.

This is a hot stove league event and the sports fans in my area apparently look forward to this event each year now that it has become an annual affair. This year it's taking place on Monday, January 21 at the Bangor Civic Center, which holds approximately 500 people.

Here's the catch: the only way to get tickets is to win them on WZON. There are no tickets for sale, you can only win them on the radio. Each hour during the day (from 6am - 9pm) they play a fancy jingle, and you have to be the 5th caller to win a pair of tickets. WZON started giving the tickets away on December 31st.

Well, TFKoP scored his pair of tickets on Wednesday morning of this past week. I was dialing in on my home phone, my work phone, and my cell. I just HAD to have a pair of these tickets. I was like Uncle Frank in One Crazy Summer! I love the Sox and can't wait to sit in and listen to Mr Castiglione's observations about the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. If nothing else, I'll at least get a free hot dog and soda! (I'm sure it will be a red hot dog!)

Nice "hot stove" effect in the picture, eh? I'm good...real good.

Now here's the cool part: WZON is saying that they still have a "special announcement" in reference to this year's hot stove night. As of this writing, they have not said what the announcement is.

You wanna know my guess as to the special announcement? I bet they have the World Series Trophy with them during the gathering. On stage with them, I bet. That would be awesome. And if that's the case and they let us line up for pictures with it you can expect to see that picture as soon as I get home that night after the event.

Regardless, here's what I do know for sure: I'VE GOT MY TICKETS ALREADY! Nice. Did you get yours?

Close up of the coveted WZON Hot Stove Night tickets. Ticket #49 and ticket #50. Suh-weeeeet!

The House of The Fenway Faithful

The local AM sports station I listen to here in Orono is WZON AM 6200. (Stephen King owns this station along with the local rock station, WKIT)

Once each month during this current baseball season season WZON has held a live broadcast and gathering of Red Sox fans at the local GroundRound. While the GroundRound is not a restaurant I have on my dining-out radar, it's a perfect setting for this gathering: there's a bar, there's bar food (and buy one get one free! appetizer specials....nice!) and trivia and giveaways. It's a fun time, and the place has been packed for the three that I've gone to since moving back to Orono in July. And, they make pretty good Buffalo wings so that should impress you.

The third one I attended was last night. And I won something. I won the "House of The Fenway Faithful" banner. Now, this is not something I would use to decorate inside my house. Well, maybe in a few years when I'm able to finish my basement....it might go okay in the room I set-up down there. But until that time, I'm at a loss where to hang it. It just isn't inside-decor material.




I guess my option is to hang it outside on my house....to profess that this is indeed a House of a Fenway Faithful. And with the Red Sox in the upcoming playoffs, what better way to show my support for the team.

I just hope people driving by don't think this place is a bar. Unless they bring their own beer......and Buffalo wings.

GO RED SOX!