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ICYMI: Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. Highlight 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Live Special
By Neil A. Carousso
Last weekend, Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey, Jr. were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the second New York Mets and Seattle Mariners players, respectfully, to be represented in Cooperstown. I co-hosted a “Long Island Community Spotlight Special” with Basia of WRHU-FM in New York and executive produced and hosted “WRHU’s 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Live Special with Neil A. Carousso” from the induction ceremony, both airing on induction day, Sunday, July 24 as we celebrated America’s Pastime. Guests of the “Live Special” include former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, Kenny Albert of Fox Sports, WFAN’s Mike Francesa and Howie Rose, the voice of the Mets.
Featured image photo credits: Mike Piazza (Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images) Ken Griffey Jr. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
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Fitness Extraordinaire Chris Ryan Unfiltered & Unedited
By Neil A. Carousso
Certified Fitness Trainer Chris Ryan sits down with me to discuss personal health & fitness, exercise habits, nutrition and NBC’s “Strong” for which Ryan trained contestants as part of the reality TV show. Ryan gives an inside look into his personal training routines for Manhattan businessmen and women plus insight into the “Strong” production and we discuss the use of supplements and training tricks allegedly and controversially used on shows like the “Biggest Loser.” This full, unfiltered and unedited interview with Ryan was conducted for an informative and entertaining feature titled “Be the Best You” – Ryan’s motto.
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Mike’s On: WFAN’s Francesa Talks Belmont Stakes, His Broadcasting Future and Acquaintance Donald Trump
By Neil A. Carousso
New York sports talk show host Mike Francesa sat down with me before his annual radio show from Belmont Park, the day before the 148th Running of the Belmont Stakes. In addition to horse racing and last year’s Triple Crown by American Pharoah, we discussed his future when he leaves WFAN at the end of 2017 and I asked him if he would consider hosting a politically focused program since he takes calls about the 2016 presidential race. Francesa informed me about his relationship with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Francesa has been with WFAN-AM, now also on the FM dial, since August 1987. He co-hosted “Mike and the Mad Dog” with Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo, starting in 1989. Mike’s encyclopedic knowledge combined with Russo’s enthusiasm, energy and vibrant passion revolutionized sports talk radio and propelled successful careers for both Francesa and Russo. I brought up “Mike and the Mad Dog” in the context of Mike Piazza’s career, which Francesa and Russo would chronicle during their afternoon drive show during Piazza’s prime in a New York Mets uniform; however, that portion of the interview will air on “WRHU’s 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Live Special with Neil A. Carousso,” which I will host live from the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 12 noon ET on 88.7 FM WRHU in New York, WRHU.org and the free WRHU mobile app. Piazza, who Francesa deems the undisputed “best hitting catcher of all-time,” better than Hall of Fame catchers Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk, in Francesa’s opinion, will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame while donning a Mets cap on his plaque. Ken Griffey, Jr. will be inducted into the Hall with Piazza.
Mike Francesa, considered “the biggest name in sports talk radio,” currently hosts “Mike’s On: Francesa on the FAN” afternoons from 1-6:30 PM ET on sports radio 66 and 101.9 FM WFAN New York. Francesa also hosts “NFL Now,” Sunday mornings during the NFL season.