Perhaps the greatest call-in idiot of all time

[MusicMan]

Honest to god... heard from a caller to 610AM this morning:

Purpura got essentially nothing for Willy T, who was their most consistent offensive player.

[BudGirl]

Honest to god... heard from a caller to 610AM this morning:

I heard that also.  At least he told him he was wrong about that.

[pravata]

I heard that also.  At least he told him he was wrong about that.

Was that Granato? He's about gone Link Not sure what his plans are but every other sports talker in Houston wants to be somewhere else.

[MusicMan]

Granato was still on as of this morning.

Zeurlein knew what was coming, hence his "vacation" right before the NFL draft.  He didn't want to be put in a bad spot.

[BudGirl]

It was whoever is opposite of Lance.  I can't think of his name right now.

[Holly]

Yeah, that'd be John Granato.

[pravata]

It was whoever is opposite of Lance.  I can't think of his name right now.

Granato.  He's the only local personality who gives the Astros any credit. 

[WulawHorn]

Dang- Lance and John in the morning were the only houston sports talk I can tolerate listening to.  This is a real bummer.

Agree with you Pravata- they (I think lance does to, maybe to a lesser extent then john) are the best at giving credit to the stros- explaining decision making- or calling idiot callers out for their idiot opinions.

Probably partly b/c Granato has done post game, off and on, for the Astros for a lot of years.  He seems to get/understand the clubhouse and org better than some.

CP in drivetime on the Gerbil is off his rocker about Pence and has been for a year.

[MusicMan]

CP in drivetime on the Gerbil is off his rocker about Pence and has been for a year.

Only because they traded Zobrist at that point.

Palilo is a very smart guy, but he also understands the "shtick" of hosting a solo call-in show.

[WulawHorn]

I'm not saying that Palillo isn't smart.  He even gives the Astros overall credit for being a winning organization (and brings it up to the callers when they blast the stros). He is, however, constantly bitchinig about how they are wasting guys careers in the minors. He can't seem to get over the hot, flavor of the month, in the minors, as it relates to prospects.

Maybe it's all just schtick for the callers, but I think he really believes it.

[pravata]

I'm not saying that Palillo isn't smart.  He even gives the Astros overall credit for being a winning organization (and brings it up to the callers when they blast the stros). He is, however, constantly bitchinig about how they are wasting guys careers in the minors. He can't seem to get over the hot, flavor of the month, in the minors, as it relates to prospects.

Maybe it's all just schtick for the callers, but I think he really believes it.

One thing is certain though, he definitely knows more, cares more about, and wishes he was working somewhere in the Northeast.

[Noe]

Granato.  He's the only local personality who gives the Astros any credit. 

He's the best baseball media guy in town.  And that is not a backhanded compliment.  He is damn good and would stack up against any national media guy in knowledge of the game.

[Gizzmonic]

Was that Granato? He's about gone Link Not sure what his plans are but every other sports talker in Houston wants to be somewhere else.

Is Granato trying to leave Houston or join one of the other Houston stations?  Since he wants to dissolve the non-compete, I'm guessing that means he is trying to jump ship to a local competitor?  Could someone fill us in on the nature of these contracts?

I think Granato and Lance Zierlein were a very good team, the only Houston sports talk I could tolerate listening to for extended periods of time.  Both of them were funny and knowledgeable, and they had good chemistry.  He's gonna be tough to replace...

[Foghorn]

Willy T was consistant offensively.  Consistantly pissing me off.  Wish we could have transplanted bagwell's base running instincts and skills into Willy's body.

[LonghornCDR]

Willy T was consistant offensively.  Consistantly pissing me off.  Wish we could have transplanted bagwell's base running instincts and skills into Willy's body.

I would rather transplant Willie T's right shoulder onto Bags.

[pravata]

Is Granato trying to leave Houston or join one of the other Houston stations?  Since he wants to dissolve the non-compete, I'm guessing that means he is trying to jump ship to a local competitor?  Could someone fill us in on the nature of these contracts?

I think Granato and Lance Zierlein were a very good team, the only Houston sports talk I could tolerate listening to for extended periods of time.  Both of them were funny and knowledgeable, and they had good chemistry.  He's gonna be tough to replace...

Granato says that the non-compete covenant of his employment contract is unenforceable, for various reason.  Apparently he was working without a contract for 8 years.  Also he claims that he has not been paid for signing on new advertisers. The "Trailer Wheel and Frame" portion of the argument. His current contract is up at the end of November

[Rammer33]

it's odd from reading this thread because I think CP is far and away the best sports guy in Houston ... I think he overplays "the bring them up younger card" (because there aren't many good examples of the astros just sitting on guys - but the criticism isn't completely unfounded its just not as extreme as he makes it out to be - and to me it its more a criticism of developing top flight young offensive talent (berkaman aside) in that the astros typically haven't drafted young top offensive talent out of HS and have gone to the college ranks hence getting kids a couple of years older – he loves to point to a player like Reyes who was brought up quick – but I am certain if the astros had a kid like reyes he would be brought up pretty quickly – now it likely wouldn’t be as fast as, say the mets, but he’d be up faster than most) ... so I think CP is off on that in that he ignores the draft history and looks at age in a vacuum - such as the fact a player like pence has been moved up with regularity but started after a couple years of college (i believe). Other than that to me CP is right on generally.

Frnakly, I think Granato overall is the worst. he knows a bit about the clubhouse dynamic having covered it but his baseball opinions border on what I could get from some slouch at a bar that thinks a hitter is measured in full by batting average and a pitcher by wins ...

as an aside it sounds to me like granato's got a good argument for the non compete - from what I read ...

[WulawHorn]

One thing is certain though, he definitely knows more, cares more about, and wishes he was working somewhere in the Northeast.

This point has always really bothered me. He's been here for at least as long as I have I think (1990 for me).  Freaking get over it and get on with life- leave that NE shit behind (no problem with the syracuse angle b/c you ALWAYS get to be a homer for your school).  Just doesn't make sense to me.

[Rammer33]

I don't pick up on any NE bias ... he knows about the area but I don't see any bias or some deep seeded longing for an east coast job ... maybe thats just me but the only other thing he mentions with any regularity (other than 'cuse - which is completely understandable) is the islanders and its really only in passing when mentioning NHL scores ... its not like the guy is a yankees/knick homer

[pravata]

I don't pick up on any NE bias ... he knows about the area but I don't see any bias or some deep seeded longing for an east coast job ... maybe thats just me but the only other thing he mentions with any regularity (other than 'cuse - which is completely understandable) is the islanders and its really only in passing when mentioning NHL scores ... its not like the guy is a yankees/knick homer

Are we talking about the same Charlie Palillo?  The one on 790am?  That Charlie Palillo?

[WulawHorn]

I don't pick up on any NE bias ... he knows about the area but I don't see any bias or some deep seeded longing for an east coast job ... maybe thats just me but the only other thing he mentions with any regularity (other than 'cuse - which is completely understandable) is the islanders and its really only in passing when mentioning NHL scores ... its not like the guy is a yankees/knick homer

He said he would not root for the Astros in a world series against the Yankees

[Rammer33]

yeah I remeber that ... he's a fan not a homer

different strokes ...

[pravata]

yeah I remeber that ... he's a fan not a homer

different strokes ...

If that's how you want to call it.

[Zan]

He's the best baseball media guy in town.  And that is not a backhanded compliment.  He is damn good and would stack up against any national media guy in knowledge of the game.

John and Lance are/were good. Lance is much more of a football/basketball guy though, so it's a bummer that John is leaving. They were the best radio show in town by a longshot.

[Zan]

Granato says that the non-compete covenant of his employment contract is unenforceable, for various reason.  Apparently he was working without a contract for 8 years.  Also he claims that he has not been paid for signing on new advertisers. The "Trailer Wheel and Frame" portion of the argument. His current contract is up at the end of November

Do you think he's trying to go to 790? I hope he replaces Davies & Dukes, who are TERRIBLE!!!

[WulawHorn]

yeah D&D stands for dumb as dogshit as far as I can tell.

Those guys are a special class of suck.

[Navin R Johnson]

I would think the only way that someone wouldnt pick up on the NE bias, is if they were from the NE themselves.    Charlie is a bright guy, but I too tire of the NE junk.

John and Lance have always been my favorites and I hope things get worked out and they stay together.

[Gizzmonic]

it's odd from reading this thread because I think CP is far and away the best sports guy in Houston ...
Frnakly, I think Granato overall is the worst. he knows a bit about the clubhouse dynamic having covered it but his baseball opinions border on what I could get from some slouch at a bar that thinks a hitter is measured in full by batting average and a pitcher by wins ...

as an aside it sounds to me like granato's got a good argument for the non compete - from what I read ...

Palillo is tolerable at times, but in general he's condescending, shrill, and incorrect.  Granato is loose, charismatic, and he doesn't make ridiculous statements unless he's joking.     

I think his chemistry with Lance is an important part of his appeal, but he could run a show by himself.  I don't like sports talk radio in general, but John/Lance is the only local show I'd even think about listening to on a regular basis.

[Billy Zabka]

Honest to god... heard from a caller to 610AM this morning:

I heard someone call Rich Lord last summer and say:  "I haven't been drinking, but I have a trade possibility" -

I'm not exactly sure of the whole trade, but it involved the Rockets trading for Shaq.  3 weeks after Miami won the NBA Title.

Rich replied, "You have been drinking."  It was 4:00 in the afternoon.

[homer]

John Granato will leave KILT (610 AM), effective today, under the terms of an out-of-court settlement reached Sunday night in his lawsuit against CBS Radio, KILT's parent company.

...

Yates said Granato had no immediate plans other than to "spend quality time with his family and play a lot of golf. Then we'll see what happens." He said Granato would continue to appear on Astros-related programming on KNWS (Channel 51).

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4759943.html

[ybbodeus]

Honest to god... heard from a caller to 610AM this morning:

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but was the caller Luke Scott?

[WulawHorn]

It was a bummer this am listening to Lance and Comrade Van Demyer.  I hope that isn't the permanent fix and Lance gets a new partner.  I think I'd even prefer one of the night pervs over the Voice.  Leave him with Rich Lord in the unlistenable afternoon drive time.

[Holly]

What's with that nickname for Vandemeer?

[WulawHorn]

Lance does a "comrade van demeer" bit where he talks with a fake russian accent and pretends like he is an old school commie touting the texans line that callers accuse MVM with taking.

For example- The Texans played glorious football this afternoon. David Carr is terrific QB with his goofy russian accent.  It's kinda funny.

[Noe]

What's with that nickname for Vandemeer?

Marc Vandemeer sucks as a baseball sports talk guy.  He's barely listenable.

[Bench]

Marc Vandemeer sucks as a baseball sports talk guy.  He's barely listenable.

You could have just gone with the second statement. No reason to limit it to baseball, his football stuff is also abominable.

[Holly]

Lance does a "comrade van demeer" bit where he talks with a fake russian accent and pretends like he is an old school commie touting the texans line that callers accuse MVM with taking.

For example- The Texans played glorious football this afternoon. David Carr is terrific QB with his goofy russian accent.  It's kinda funny.

Ahhh, OK thanks. I've not listened to the morning guys in awhile, so I missed Lance's schtick

[Noe]

You could have just gone with the second statement. No reason to limit it to baseball, his football stuff is also abominable.

I didn't know about his football acumen because he calls the games for the Texans (BTW - the first year he called the games for the Texans, I thought his touchdown call "ROCK AND ROLL" was just weird.... not bad... just weird.  I didn't get it).  I am not a big fan of the NFL, so I wouldn't know how to rate Vandemeer's comments, but I do know when I see him on Houston Sports Beat on FSN with Greg Lucas, he is awful when he talks about baseball.  I've heard him with Lord before as well and it isn't any better.

Baseball ain't his game for sure.

[ybbodeus]

yeah D&D stands for dumb as dogshit as far as I can tell.

Those guys are a special class of suck.

And the worst part is that they trust their stuff....