Felger and Mazz - Creating False Naratives one day at a time

[Dim13]

Maybe he is doing it tongue-in-cheek, but Felger is now blaming Beckett for the other Red Sox pitchers pitching too slowly, for Lester developing a southern accent when he speaks, and for Buchholz dressing like a "hick." I'm a Beckett fanboy (as much as one can be these days) and I actually like Felger too, but his Josh hatred is really over the top.

By the way, the Beckett talk is occurring two days since his last start - a start that Felger discredits as being worthless.

When he gets a hair across his ass, he never lets up. Oftentimes, to the detriment of his point, the topic itself, and the show as a whole.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

Felger is slowly winning me over....as in, I was so disgusted with this Red Sox team and Beckett et al that I couldn't care less how they did this year and actually took guilty pleasure in seeing them fall apart...but now, no more. I want Beckett to start the All-Star game. MF said yesterday that no matter what Beckett does, he won't give him any credit until he does something in Sept this year. Fine, fair point...then SHUT UP about it until then.

He also ran off Beckett's record and stats in the last 4 Sept "when games mean something". And in his last 8 starts the last 4 years, the sox are 3-5 or something in "meaningful" games...

Uhhh...

'08- Sox win the WC by 6 games
'09- Sox win the WC by 8 games
'10- Sox lose WC by 6 games
'11- Sox lose WC by 1 game

So only one of those years Beckett's last 2 starts "meant" something. (I might say two, in '08, if the Sox were trying to win the division, but htey had a Playoff spot wrapped up and in his last 2 games that year, he went 8 vs. TB, gave up 1 run and went 6 and gave up 4 to Texas)

 

[ForKeeps]

You just put 10x as much effort into refuting that as Felger did in concocting it. And I'm sure you didn't put much effort in.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

I'm done with this show for awhile and need a break. It's the same shit non-stop and I even agree with what they are staying but it's just no enjoyable. I don't like the Celtics or Beckett and I'm already sick of the Garnett roar and Texas tough guy stuff.

 

[Buffalo Head]

Ron in Malden needs his own show. He's awesome.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Wiggins called out Felger for a lack of objectivity.

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

Ron in Malden needs his own show. He's awesome.

I meant to post about this yesterday, but this is one of the things that are driving me crazy about this show: the "celebrity" callers. When Felger went to ESPN his first credo was no celebrity callers, no Butch from the Cape or Joey from the North End or Frank from Gloucester and I thought that was awesome. I figured he'd bring it over with him to this new station, but in the past few months, the celebrity caller has found a home at F&M.

Yesterday they had this woman on from Minnesota and Mazz was just about falling over himself talking about how hot she is. I guess she's in her mid-40s and had five kids but is great shape and whenever she calls (I've heard her three times) it always ends up with her in some "sexy" situation. I changed the channel quick because I don't give two shits about these people at all. They're all schtick and most of the time their schtick is schtupid.

Yes, let's fap, fap, fap over some 45-year old milk maid in Minnesota, who may or may not (probably the latter) be hot. Thrilling (and here's the most important part) RADIO. Who cares.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

I'm done with this show for awhile and need a break. It's the same shit non-stop and I even agree with what they are staying but it's just no enjoyable. I don't like the Celtics or Beckett and I'm already sick of the Garnett roar and Texas tough guy stuff.

Yeah. It's kinda bad for sportstalk in Boston. WEEI for the most part is unlistenable and Felger and Mazz have gone over the deep end. Why must Felger repeat the same points over and over, when once is enough? On a personal note, Homebrew, why do you hate the Celtics? Is it basketball in general that you don't like or are you not enamored with Rondo or Garnett's actions and attitudes?

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

Why must Felger repeat the same points over and over, when once is enough?

Because there is literally nothing new going on. Every storyline, both nationally and locally, has been the same for a long, long time. Even though this is a good couple of months to be a sports fan, it's pretty boring. In the NBA the West looks to be the best, in Miami Wade and James look like babies, the Celts are playing the Sixers. In MLB the Sox are underachieving and have been since Day One. In the NFL, the Patriots are "cheap"*. In the NHL, who cares.

* I don't believe this, but that's the talking point.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

Hate is too strong a word, I don't dislike the Celtics, I just don't care about them. I like Garnett and Doc and cheered for the Celtics when they won their title but Ive never been a Pierce or Rondo fan.

Basically basketball just isn't my sport and I haven't been a fan of the NBA since Bird retired plus I do tend to think the NBA is a little bit crooked with the refs. All of this means I should love Felger and Mazz when they rag on the nBA and for the most part I do, but like JMOH just said, there isn't a lot of interesting shit to fill a 4 hour program so they just keep hammering the same points with the same bits.

 

[timlinin8th]

Wiggins called out Felger for a lack of objectivity.

He also called out Mazz at one point, telling Mazz "well of COURSE you agree with Felger"... It was pretty clear he is starting to get that Mazz doesnt have a single unique thought.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

The woman is Jill in Minnesota, and she sent them a sexy photo of herself in a Bruins t-shirt a few weeks back. This time she called in with a story about buying a Twins bra or something, and the guys were trying to convince her to send them another photo. Mazz asked what size she was.

 

[MoVaughndotORG]

The woman is Jill in Minnesota, and she sent them a sexy photo of herself in a Bruins t-shirt a few weeks back. This time she called in with a story about buying a Twins bra or something, and the guys were trying to convince her to send them another photo. Mazz asked what size she was.

I appreciate the background, but as JMOH said, it's radio. And I love Howard Stern, but it always creeped me out when he talked to callers about their bra size. I'm guessing Tony Mazz is way more smooth and non-cringe inducing than a guy who has made a career out of it.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

The woman is Jill in Minnesota, and she sent them a sexy photo of herself in a Bruins t-shirt a few weeks back. This time she called in with a story about buying a Twins bra or something, and the guys were trying to convince her to send them another photo. Mazz asked what size she was.

That's pathetic.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

I appreciate the background, but as JMOH said, it's radio. And I love Howard Stern, but it always creeped me out when he talked to callers about their bra size. I'm guessing Tony Mazz is way more smooth and non-cringe inducing than a guy who has made a career out of it.

This. And fwiw, she's not hot at all. Those two have very low standards. Felger and Mazz fucking drool over Madonna for Christ's sake.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

The whole Jill in Minnesota thing is really weird and she gets off on it too which makes it even creepier radio. It doesn't really bother me but it does offer good material for the Final Word and the creep meter.

Felger's mentioned a bunch of times he doesn't drink anymore but now he's doing a spot for Dewars and promoting its high alcohol content as part of it. That's also weird.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Mazz was a total nitwit today using totally unfair grounds to go after BobbyV for his comment about the team's recent approach being good enough to win a championship.


Felger & Mazz spent most of 2011 castigating Francona for giving the players excuses for failure, but then go after Bobby for doing the opposite. Just another day at the office for F & M, don't take anything they say seriously as they sure don't.

 

[Humphrey]

There was also his comments on the Red Sox on Wednesday vis-a-vis the Yanks.

Something like "there's a big rumor that the Yanks are for sale...well, if that's true and they're worth 3 billion and the Dodgers 2 billion, then the Red Sox are worth somewhere in the middle.". Well, that's worthwhile speculation, but then in the next breath he's saying that Henry will be putting the team up for sale because they're worth so much and the team isn't doing so well now.

 

[Billy Jo Robidoux]

I don't know, I thought it was funny when they kept playing the Bruins announcer saying "Get the duck boats ready!" in response to Bobby V's comments.

 

[Harry Hooper]

I don't know, I thought it was funny when they kept playing the Bruins announcer saying "Get the duck boats ready!" in response to Bobby V's comments.

Absolutely, I laughed too. It was Mazz's extended diatribe that was insufferable and unjustified.

 

[AimingForYoko]

I'm home today but I probably won't watch because I already know that F&M will disregard the atrocious officiating and chalk everything up to "Green Teamers" incessant whining.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

I'm home today but I probably won't watch because I already know that F&M will disregard the atrocious officiating and chalk everything up to "Green Teamers" incessant whining.

Wrong.

Then again, I also lied last week when I said I wasn't going to listen any more. I still listen but I have a much quicker trigger finger.

 

[AimingForYoko]

Wrong.

What, they're actually talking about the shitty refs role in the game? And not being deliberately obtuse?

I'm shocked. But pleasantly so, I guess.

 

[steveluck7]

If there is any doubt that Mazz's love for Mark Teixiera is real, he and beetle were in an argument yesterday because, while they co manage a fantasy team, Tony unilaterally traded Felix Hernandez for Tex.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

I'll say one thing for Mazz, he can bring in some fantastic guests. I'm not even a fan of the NBA but I loved e surprise Doc and Grossbeck interviews during my commutes.

 

[mabrowndog]

I'll say one thing for Mazz, he can bring in some fantastic guests. I'm not even a fan of the NBA but I loved e surprise Doc and Grossbeck interviews during my commutes.

Agreed. Both interviews were outstanding, and they asked some really great questions. Wyk was compelling radio today.

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

How did Doc go on TSH? Isn't he exclusive to EEI?

BTW, when they said a Green Teamer, I thought that it was going to be Dickerson or Donny Marshall.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

How did Doc go on TSH? Isn't he exclusive to EEI?

BTW, when they said a Green Teamer, I thought that it was going to be Dickerson or Donny Marshall.

they billed it as, we need to take Line 4, Glen from Miami...if that makes any difference?

 

[HomeBrew1901]

How did Doc go on TSH? Isn't he exclusive to EEI?

BTW, when they said a Green Teamer, I thought that it was going to be Dickerson or Donny Marshall.

Same as Wyc, Mazz apparently has close relationships with these guys and has been texting them to get him on the air. I'm assuming his contract with EEI has run out either that or he just doesn't give a shit. I mean what is EEI going to do tell Doc that they don't want his weekly interviews anymore? Take away his appearance fee that probably goes to some charity?

It's not like Jackie MacMullen who has a bit more to lose if EEI gets pissed.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Same as Wyc, Mazz apparently has close relationships with these guys and has been texting them to get him on the air. I'm assuming his contract with EEI has run out either that or he just doesn't give a shit. I mean what is EEI going to do tell Doc that they don't want his weekly interviews anymore? Take away his appearance fee that probably goes to some charity?

It's not like Jackie MacMullen who has a bit more to lose if EEI gets pissed.

Could it be they rationalized it as appearing on CSNNE rather than WEEI's competitor? CSNNE is the Celtics' TV partner, after all. Seems appropriate that they'd appear on one of the flagship shows on that network in the midst of a playoff run, especially when you consider that CSNNE is shut out of broadcasting the games (unlike WEEI).

I don't think Grousbeck is exclusive to WEEI in any way, regardless. He's been on plenty of other stations promoting the team and his charitable ventures. He's probably free to do what he wants (no different than John Henry dropping in on F&M when WEEI is the team's radio partner). Doc, on the other hand, does have an exclusive weekly thing with WEEI, but I don't think that prohibits him from doing any other interviews, just not regular appearances.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

Could it be they rationalized it as appearing on CSNNE rather than WEEI's competitor? CSNNE is the Celtics' TV partner, after all. Seems appropriate that they'd appear on one of the flagship shows on that network in the midst of a playoff run, especially when you consider that CSNNE is shut out of broadcasting the games (unlike WEEI).

Good point, I didn't even consider the simulcast part of the equation.

Edit: My guess is that any appearance contract has a clause that states you can not go on another Boston Sports Talk Radio show to talk about your sport, again just a guess, it wouldn't prohibit them from going on in Miami or Atlanta or wherever just not TSH.

When Jackie Mac called in a few weeks ago to speak about Mazz's injury she was great at first and then immediately ended the call and said she couldn't speak about the Celtics after Felger asked her a question about the playoffs.

 

[Phenom]

I'll say one thing for Mazz, he can bring in some fantastic guests. I'm not even a fan of the NBA but I loved e surprise Doc and Grossbeck interviews during my commutes.

Theoretically, that's the strength Mazz brings to the show: His cache in the Boston sports community after working as a respected journalist for two decades.

Felger has been retired from print for several years now, and has the reputation of being a bombastic pot-stirrer (essentially, the stereotypical talk radio host). When "The Sports Hub" decided to pair Massarotti with Felger, I think they did it with the idea that Mazz would bring some levity and legitimacy to the program.

Now, it hasn't really worked out that way, as Mazz has fallen into the trap of being equally, if not more hyperbolic than Felger is. But his ability to land Doc and Wyc on the show for interviews demonstrates to us that he still holds a little bit of clout within the Boston sports media.

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

I said this in the "Toucher and Rich" thread, but does anyone know when the Celts' radio contract with EEI ends? Like RHF said F&M are on Comcast, like the Celts. Maybe the Celts front office wants to bring it all under one roof?

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I said this in the "Toucher and Rich" thread, but does anyone know when the Celts' radio contract with EEI ends? Like RHF said F&M are on Comcast, like the Celts. Maybe the Celts front office wants to bring it all under one roof?

EEI and the Celtics extended their deal at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, but terms/length weren't disclosed and I can't find any speculation on the exact details. Suffice to say that since this past season was the first one of the extension, it's likely EEI and the C's are going to remain partners for at least a couple more years. Can't imagine they only signed a one-year extension.

 

[Byrdbrain]

Theoretically, that's the strength Mazz brings to the show: His cache in the Boston sports community after working as a respected journalist for two decades.

Felger has been retired from print for several years now, and has the reputation of being a bombastic pot-stirrer (essentially, the stereotypical talk radio host). When "The Sports Hub" decided to pair Massarotti with Felger, I think they did it with the idea that Mazz would bring some levity and legitimacy to the program.

Now, it hasn't really worked out that way, as Mazz has fallen into the trap of being equally, if not more hyperbolic than Felger is. But his ability to land Doc and Wyc on the show for interviews demonstrates to us that he still holds a little bit of clout within the Boston sports media.

The best example of this not exactly working out is the baseball show which they call "The baseball reporters" (or something like that), I remember when they started the show last year and every show they had on a different guest baseball reporter to talk with Mazz. That died the last half of last year and from what I have heard this year it is just more of the same Mazz whining.

 

[swyman18]

I have to say, I really do love how both Felger and Mazz have no patience for people that call in on speakerphones, bluetooth headsets, and other hands-free crap devices. I understand that most people can't sit on hold for over an hour on a regular landline phone, but it is infuriating when call after call just sounds like shit.

Felger almost lost it today when some guy wasn't ready and was fiddling with his headset when his turn came up.

 

[riboflav]

I assume at this point Felger is prepared to take a lot back about what says about the Celts and KG, in particular. Let's just say I won't hold my breath.

 

[steveluck7]

Have you not listened to him? He's said all along that if the Celtics were to put up a tough series and lose in 6 or 7 to Miami, he would give them their due credit for gutting it out against a team that had more talent and youth. Seeing as how that is now the worst case scenario, there is no reason to believe that he won't do what he said we would

 

[HomeBrew1901]

I assume at this point Felger is prepared to take a lot back about what says about the Celts and KG, in particular. Let's just say I won't hold my breath.

Felger hates the Celtics but like Steve said above, he has been convinced that the Celtics could win this series since their first win against the Heat a few days ago. His only beef lately hasn't been with the Celtics but with the Media saying that the Cs have over-achieved prior to this series when they won two playoff series that against mediocre teams that he felt they should have beaten in much shorter series.

 

[riboflav]

Oh. I thought I heard him calling KG a fake tough guy this week. My bad.

 

[steveluck7]

Oh. I heard him calling KG a fake tough guy this week. My bad.

Oh yeah, that's something that won't ever change... no matter how much they do or don't win. He loves busting on KG, especially for the primal scream on the scoreboard

 

[AimingForYoko]

Have you not listened to him? He's said all along that if the Celtics were to put up a tough series and lose in 6 or 7 to Miami, he would give them their due credit for gutting it out against a team that had more talent and youth. Seeing as how that is now the worst case scenario, there is no reason to believe that he won't do what he said we would

I imagine he said all of these things in the most asshole-ish way possible because "wah wah I was a Bucks fan". At least that's how he comes off SportsTonight.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

I imagine he said all of these things in the most asshole-ish way possible because "wah wah I was a Bucks fan". At least that's how he comes off SportsTonight.

Wow, wrong again. Start listening to the show if you are going to comment.

 

[AimingForYoko]

Wow, wrong again. Start listening to the show if you are going to comment.

Actually, in listening between trying to find out Tim Thomas news, I feel I'm pretty accurate. Even on ST, yeah he said the C's would win the first two series, but most of that had to do with "they've come back to torment him as they used to do when he was a kid." Most of his hate (apart from hating the NBA) stems from apparent trauma from being a Bucks fan. And KG is a fraud, and injuries don't matter because the Heat would trade for the C's injuries (which is bs), and then he builds his straw man of the "Green team honks" and lumps everyone in together and rants about them, so yeah I consider that dickish.


edit so I don't make another post: All of that said, I think that KG and media bashing will take a backseat to Heat/Lebron/Wade bashing. Which is always fun, I don't care what announcer it is.

 

[soxfan121]

Actually, in listening between trying to find out Tim Thomas news, I feel I'm pretty accurate. Even on ST, yeah he said the C's would win the first two series, but most of that had to do with "they've come back to torment him as they used to do when he was a kid." Most of his hate (apart from hating the NBA) stems from apparent trauma from being a Bucks fan. And KG is a fraud, and injuries don't matter because the Heat would trade for the C's injuries (which is bs), and then he builds his straw man of the "Green team honks" and lumps everyone in together and rants about them, so yeah I consider that dickish.


edit so I don't make another post: All of that said, I think that KG and media bashing will take a backseat to Heat/Lebron/Wade bashing. Which is always fun, I don't care what announcer it is.

Good for you - we're all very proud of ya.

Snark aside, you're congealing years worth of Felger/Celtics opinion into that paragraph and it's not entirely accurate. Recently, the "traumatized Bucks fan" lament comes up at the end of a long, sustained discussion of how well the Celtics are playing. Felger hates the Celtics as a fan, and maybe Celtics fans have a gripe there, but Felger has not been "hating on" the Celtics; he's been complimentary, giving credit where it is due and praising their cohesiveness as a team. So if you are only hearing the end of those discussions and adding them to the long history of "bashing", well, you're hearing what you want to hear.

Felger finds the NBA as difficult to discuss as the WWE; in his opinion, the games are fixed. And he has a legitimate point. He also whines way too much about working "in the belly of the beast" and takes great joy in tweaking the "Green Teamers" - something C's fans are taking personally instead of hearing it as the natural frustration of anyone forced to listen to the ball-washing of Dickerson & Tanguay on a regular basis. Hey - if you like Greg & Gary, I imagine that listening to Felger must be torture. For those of us who find Dickerson & Tanguay to be ass licking toadies enjoy the rants about the delusions of the "Green Team".

In conclusion, the Celtics do "play up" injuries, KG's act is kinda silly and the Green Team, collectively, has very thin skin and can be tweaked very easily. And it makes good radio. If you want a host who praises the Celtics for their toughness, thinks KG is inspirational and the Green Team is a bunch of honest truth-tellers, 93.7FM should come in really well on your radio.

 

[AimingForYoko]

Here's the thing. I can't stand Tanguay. But Felger's whole Green team shtick irritates me even more, particularly when he disregards actual points for his argument. That's what I find that dickish and that's the point I was trying to make.

The rest of what you said is just a matter of differing opinions that we can sit here and argue about for days.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I'm a casual basketball fan at best, but I'm curious as to why the Celtics and their fans need to be tweaked or mocked at all, considering what's the team's done so far this year and since the Big 3 were put together. It's totally admirable to me what they've done. Why does Felger see the need to piss all over them and mock them and their fans at all?

If he's merely playing the heel at least he should have the common decency to put on a fur hat and shout "AMERIKA! HOOK-THOOEY!" while waving the Russian flag.

 

[HomeBrew1901]

SJH, it can get annoying but I think he does it to gain listeners and because it is fun to him because a large population of new Celtics Fans have had extremely thin skin since they won banner #17. I don't think he does it to play the heel role, I think he legitimately despises the Celtics and the NBA in general and he likes to tweak them.

To me It's the same as us here on SoSH making fun of thin skinned Yankee Fans. Do you think Russo was just playing the heel or did he take genuine joy in watching the Yankees lose while being surrounded by Yankee Fans?

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Russo, at least, was a genuine fan of the Mets.

I get the sense that Felger is attacking the Celtics and their fans simply to incite them. It's a tried and true radio tactic, but honestly it's also completely transparent and douchey. Again, he should just get on with going full Iron Shiek at this point.

Even a casual follower of the team would have to be impressed at their accomplishments given their age and the injuries this year. To incite their fans over it is the height of douchebaggery, IMO.

 

[teddykgb]

he really doesn't tweak Celtics fans. He mostly just makes fun of Dickerson and Tanguay. He's shockingly positive about the Celtics, he just mocks the people who act like they can do no wrong, which is the same thing he does with Pats fanboys as well. The stuff on the Bucks is just something he won't give up because it is likely true. All the things we hate about the Heat are things that people used to feel about the Celtics, and he won't stop pointing that out, but it's probably important that we have some perspective. I really don't think he's negative on this current rendition of the Celtics much at all.