No Cheering in the Press Box

Being a student in journalism, I have had several professors tell me, you can’t be a fan (when covering sports). You are taught to divide the line, and report the story right down the middle.  This concept has become essential in journalism. However, talk radio taken the phrase “You can’t be aand completely thrown it out the window.  

Former Eagle Ike Reese has become a staple on 610 WIP

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Philadelphia sports talk station 610 WIP, is the perfect example of being a fan, and then some.  The personalities there have made being a fan fun or rather, funny.  

Philadelphia native, and mid-day cohost, Anthony Gargano cannot hide his excitement for his beloved baseball team. His excitement is shown right through the mic, and the passion is in his voice.   He has managed to take the fans perspective and enthusiasm, and make weekday afternoon drives entertaining. He and his partner, award-winning writer Glen Macnow, take a blue-collar approach when given their views and opinions. And make calling in to the station feel safe and friendly.  

Philadelphia has many athletes who have come and gone. However, former Eagles’  great Ike Reese retired and decided to stay. In doing so he got himself a job as a host on 610 and found a lot of people figured he would give good football analysis and that’s it. But the man fit right in with the on-air-talent and the fans.  And the sports journalist’s golden rule, no cheering in the press box, again went right into the cold Philly air. Last week after the Phillies broke open Game 5 of the NLCS, there was Ike Reese on fan-a-vision standing, cheering, and waving the rally towel, all while in the press box. Reese took his passion for the city and embraced it. He isn’t just another former athlete gone broadcaster, he’s intelligent, passionate, and a well-rounded fan. Not to mention a good partner for Howard Eskin.    

These men along with the always-entertaining morning show have made being a fan fun in a city where it is often taken too seriously. In Philadelphia, where their baseball team had lost 10,000 plus games and whose other sports teams only collected a handful of championships this century, the fans have always been the main component.  610 WIP was there every step of the way.