620 WDAE is the new Rays radio network.

620 WDAE is the new Rays radio network.

Ideal for signal strength. Unfortunately most species of plankton are smarter than Ron & Ian.

5 months ago R.J. Anderson Comment 64 comments 2 recs |

Comments

I know that quite a few people around my neck of the woods will appreciate this.(Venice/Sarasota)

It seemed like they Rays could be picked up on around 3 stations around here, but none of them were strong, especially at night. 620 comes in loud and clear.

by twenty5psi on Jan 13, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You nailed it on the head

It’s great for the Rays in that the market they will now reach is much larger, and it is on a known sports radio station. However, the only hour of non-live game action worth listening to on a weekly basis on 620 is the Pewter Report Buc Blitz. The rest of the time they have some of the dumbest shock jocks around.

Blake
USF--Class of '09

by usfraysfan on Jan 13, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good point

May there be an interactive show with a Rays’ “shill” for an hour that Pewter Report has with 620?? Again, they are spread out and they don’t go past 7pm. It will be interesting to see if their hosts “push” baseball and not football during the season and how “balanced” they are if callers try to take ownership or management to task, hypothetically speaking. How much “leeway” does the agreement have?

As far as Ron and Ian go, those two stinking LOSERS are wastes of time and as disrespectful to their industry as two men can be.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Best signal in the area

The afternoon games will be on 1250 locally. So any game that is a weekday game starting before 7pm goes to 1250 WHNZ. There is also works for an hour manager’s or player’s show too, but I am not understanding the full terms of that setup yet. But its better than before. There will be more depth in regards to perhaps an interactive manager’s or player’s show, which would be a first being done here on a regular basis.

Too bad the hosts for the most part aren’t topical over there. That is something that is a part of the agreement I would hope the Rays press Clear Channel on is that RJ is right. And if 620, pardon the pun, doesn’t improve their “game”, then its going to be a loss for the hardcore, over-the-top fanatics who want to really hear about the Rays and have them pushed. They push football HARD on 620, and I do hope as well that this agreement will help balance some of the load. It would be nice too if we see a change with Rich Herrera gone and more of Steve Carney in the pre-games. My two cents there.

Overall strategically, its an improvement for the club. However, if the hosts and the talent over there don’t improve, it can turn pretty ugly, pretty quick. And NO ONE can dispute how stupid or non-objective some or all of their hosts can be.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow, R.J. that's pretty demeaning.

Although Ron and Ian may not be the smartest in baseball knowledge, they sure do know a lot about other things. I can honestly say that the minority of Rays fans know about Bendix and WAR as is the same for any major league team. Having said that, that leaves the majority of fans who cite batting average and ERA still as the determining factor in valuing a player. Ron and Ian serve to the majority of fans in this market as do all radio stations. That’s business.

To say they are dumb is wrong. To say that they aren’t as factual or logical as let’s say, DRB, is true.

Don’t get me wrong, I love DRB but I also love Ron and Ian. Just because they don’t speak our language doesn’t mean they aren’t Rays fans too.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 4:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say they weren't fans.

They aren’t dumb because they don’t know WAR. They’re dumb because they say stuff like “I hope he rots in hell” about Gene Upshaw.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 13, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This

by Erik Hahmann on Jan 13, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I understand.

I just didn’t think it was appropriate. That’s all.

No biggie.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think you do

To make a long story short, there is more to what they are saying. Ron and Ian are certainly as competent as plankton as far as I am concerned. If they cared, they would do their homework and not lean on their producers to CARRY them or cut callers off. They don’t entertain debate, and they are pretty much useless carcasses in flesh and bone.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't listen to their show, so I don't know about any of this.

I’ve heard some rather uncomplimentary things, and the Upshaw one sticks out in my mind as something rather left unsaid.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 13, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Forgot about that

They don’t have “insight”, or at least try to go deeper, instead they talk in general terms and if someone tries to get an intellectual conversation, you are cut off. Plain and simple, they don’t get it, but then again, its Mike Killabrew’s fault and not theirs.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And if Sileo is pro New York Yankee..

I am under the impression he would be jeopardizing any agreement the station has with the club. All three of those morning hacks aren’t fans of the club, but bandwagon jumpers or would be the first to castigate the club if “public outcry” hit them in the face.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I wasn't clear

All I’m trying to say is that they play to the majority. You can’t blame them for trying to sell a product. It’s a business.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know this isn't directed at me, but yeah.

I’m not naive enough to believe the stuff written here will ever be common knowledge. And I’m quite okay with that. Otherwise this niche site wouldn’t have a niche to fill.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 13, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Quite right.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My problem

Is that they sell too much under the guise of talking about it. Its baking your cake and eating it too. They want you to think as a listener they know more than your or me, and if the cover is blown, then their “schtick” is up. And then they become confrontational. To me, everyone loses, the team loses, the fans lose and listeners lose, just because the host isn’t prepared to talk objectively and from a basis of knowledge.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's how it works.

It sucks but it’s true. Besides, radio is a dying media.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is true

They are losing money, hemorrhaging is a better word. Their ratings are falling off, and this is a smart move by the club. I just hope the club has some “safeguard” that would prevent Ron, Ian and Dan from being overtly stupid. I doubt it, so that is me being me.

Ask Rick Vaughn how he felt when Ron Diaz doublecrossed the team and talked to Elijah? Ask Matt and Andrew personally when Ian Beckles interviewed them at a remote at the Trop with Ian wearing a YANKEE cap on?

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that stating that on the air was over the line, but if I were an ex-NFL player who had watched Upshaw cave in to most-every demand the NFL has made, I might feel the same way about him. I wouldn’t hvae said it in that forum, but I might have felt it.

The company I work for pretty much hand-picked the union that represents the workers. They gloss over the big stuff but throw bones our way on the little stuff. At least we don’t work at a closed shop where you must join the union; the NFLPA must be particularly galling if you have to be a member.

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.

by pocket8pin on Jan 14, 2009 6:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You give Ron and Ian WAAAAAAAY too much credit

Challenging fans in the parking lot or cutting off callers when in the midst of a point is blasphemous and personally demeaning. Their PD, Mike Killabrew made it abundantly clear to me that their job is to “sell”, rather than “talk”. And they don’t do their homework, plain and simple. I listen with a higher expectation, and with all due respect, Eminent One, they don’t pass the test. They haven’t passed the test in 6 years.

The two of them live off the coattails that was created for them 6 years ago by a legend. I can go on about the disrespect and unprofessional and biased behavior they have coming from their lack of preparation and naivete to their own profession. They are officious, bombastic jerks, unlike a couple of others who can’t be heard any longer because of “corporate BS”. So, guess what, you hear what you want to hear. And its their job to sell, rather than talk. Its too bad they can’t get with the program like how its done in 20-25 other major U.S. markets. Clear Channel should be ashamed of themselves.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No....

This is flat out wrong. As somone that played the game, and understands the way it is played from a perspective other then the Saber side….those 2 are freaking morons. I can literally put there show on for 2 minutes when they are discussing baseball, and I wanna shoot myself in the head. The dont know the first thing about baseball, whether it is saber related or not. They repeat garbage they read, and they still get it wrong. They are awful when it comes to baseball.

by td32 on Jan 13, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I didn't say they were baseball intellegent.

I admitted that they weren’t.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They actually aren't intelligent

About most topics. Sometimes they are, but when there is no flow and constant flipping of topics, it indicates a lack of comfort. I question their overall intelligence about real world life, politics, their views about society, etc….And I will go into that with you if you want, just not on this site.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course, nobody is going to agree with them 100% of the time.

That’s a given. I just think that calling them stupid based on their opinions is pretty naive.

I’m not looking to start a huge debate…just want to make sure both sides are presented.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Their pct is actually going to be less that 60% tops. And that is unfortunate. Its the fact they aren’t in “command” is what get to me. That and its about sex and food and they can’t let the topics (i.e. the franchises) be the selling point. Opinions based off of emotion is way worse than opinions based off some sort of fact. The evil part of their madness is that are just ill-prepped or let Tyler or Justin do their “dirty” work. They need to be in charge, and let dialogue take place. But that will never happen, so why should you defend them, with all due respect to you? Its stupidity based off of cluelessness and emotion or trying to push an agenda that may sell, rather than try to PREPARE a defense. Heck you still may be wrong, but I would rather try and fail than not try at all.

Ron and Ian and Sileo care for NOTHING but for the three of them. They could care LESS about the Rays. I think I got the proof they are Yankee fans, and they will be again.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks TD

You know what I am saying. And this is something I PRAY STU AND MATT TAKE NOTE OF!!! They offer NOTHING, and I MEAN NOTHING. Sileo also offers nothing but Yankee love, and that is unfair to the Rays. Even if he does, then its hardly genuine. They won’t change. Again, I am angry at Killabrew and Gabe Hobbs, who entered into this agreement.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think they do offer something.

An appeal to the average joe (majority of fans in this area) who only know the basics about baseball and gets his information from The Heater. Which is what Ron and Ian’s target audience consists of.

It’s a huge gain in exposure.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, now

You are talking about “dumbing down”?? But then they “take” callers who want to know more? Their show is nothing more than a reciting of the Trib or Times? Sorry, but I can pay 25 cents to read what they get paid $70K plus a year to do 3 hours a day. And that is CRIMINAL!!!

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But people listen. Maybe not you, but they do.

That’s what radio is. It’s a broadcast of media to a larger audience for free. That’s what radio has always been, even in it’s origins.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But again

They would at least try and prepare and think they are outworking their competition. Maybe its my Navy mind thinking here, but they have a duty to perform. I think I have too much expectations.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Take a look at this

http://www.bucpower.com/editorial-new74.html

This started a major revolt on the station. But they told you one side of the story

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 5:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not To Mention Deumig's dumbass

Railing on for half of the summer last year against BJ Upton. If I were BJ I would request a player show with Deumig himself hosting just to finally hear Deumig kiss his ass in person with the radio audience listening. Absolutely disgraceful. But on a side note this should help attendance. I am sure that the reason this decision was made is because they want the person with the loudest signal to have the friendliest voice and it will be interesting to hear what they have to say on the stadium issue from now on too.

by PewterPirate55 on Jan 13, 2009 5:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What do you mean about the stadium?

Everything I’ve heard on 620 has been pro-stadium.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pro-team

In regards to the stadium, nothing against them

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good time for a big F U to

Aaron Sharockman

This St Pete Times writer hates baseball and the Rays

by Raymondo on Jan 13, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No he doesn't

by Erik Hahmann on Jan 14, 2009 8:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think that's entirely true...

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 14, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was meaning

If they continue to push to move it to Hillsborough County. I have heard several hosts on that station push for that. Deumig is not one of them though. To his credit I will say he gets on the fans about not getting off their lazy asses and driving 30 mins across the bridge to go to a game.

by PewterPirate55 on Jan 14, 2009 7:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see why that is to his credit.

Of course I want more fans at the games, and I want the area to support the Rays. But nobody has a moral obligation to attend games, and I don’t need anyone castigating me for whatever decisions I make with my entertainment dollars. Should the Salvador Dali museum or Tampa Art Museum or Lowry Park Zoo or any other institution that wants patrons criticize me because I prefer going to ballgames?

I know people use the drive time as an excuse, but that is their business. I go to a lot more Thresher and Dunedin A ball games than I do to Tampa Yankee games because the other two are a few minutes from my house. And I attended more Vero Beach games last year because I wanted to see Rays’ prospects more than I did Yankee prospects.

by bobr on Jan 14, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention if they were going for baseball knowledge in this market

They would have at least gotten Bobby Fenton from 1010 into the fold. The only host that even remotely has a clue of what is going on with baseball in this market

by PewterPirate55 on Jan 13, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This market has no baseball knowledge

by Raymondo on Jan 13, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a true statement

Bobby DOES know what he’s talking about and its beyond the blogosphere. He is prepared, and his approach is impeccable and unassailable. He is a credit to what he does. More of him and less of phonies and fakes is a better all around sports market. What 620 doesn’t understand is the lack of intelligent callers DIRECTLY comes from a lack of thought or passion from their hosts. They are responsible for the table they set.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I saw this earlier on the heater

this is wonderful news to Rays fans like myself living in the Eastlake area of N.Pinellas

i couldn’t get 1250 after 7 PM

I suspect Stu and Matt will someday bring a YES type network to the are for Rays fans

by Raymondo on Jan 13, 2009 5:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm in East Lake too.

Signal up here blows eh? Especially at night.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Jan 13, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yea

Good thing most of the games are on TV and i have satellite radio for the rest

by Raymondo on Jan 13, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This thread gets more comments than Ryu? For shame.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 13, 2009 5:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ryu will clear waivers

but as for 620, i called the station and the Rays several times about the power outage on 1250

Now fix it so Directv gets the ION games in HD

by Raymondo on Jan 13, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ION HD...

depending on where you live you can get a pair of bunny ears and get the ION HD signal, I live in Melbourne and am forced to do that because of DirectTV, it’s not the most convenient thing but it’s a one time $10 purchase

IF only Harry Carey could be arounde for Kosuke.

by CubFanRaysaddict on Jan 13, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think part of the problem

is that Ron and Ian were originally brought on for their ability to cover the Bucs, which was the only team the average tampa bay area fan really cared about for many years. I remember turning on the station for years and barely hearing a word about the Rays, and you certainly didn’t have people calling in to talk about them. Now that the Rays are actually good, you have almost as many people wanting to talk about them as the Bucs. I would imagine this trend will continue, and that leaves the station in a bad position because their one dimensional hosts really don’t have a good enough understanding about baseball to effectively speak on it.

Bobby Fenton is certainly the only one to listen to in this market if you want any kind of intelligent Rays coverage.

As for the deal, if it helps more fans be able to listen then I am all for it. Especially if it cuts into Steve Deumig’s time slot.

by acelion on Jan 13, 2009 5:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Come on RJ...

Ron and Ian aren’t just dumber than plankton but sponges too.

"Don't test the cannon"! screamed Matt Garza after b.J. Upton throws another failed attempt of scoring by a tag-up!

by raysbball on Jan 13, 2009 6:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You guys have it too good there

on both the Ron and Ian front and on your Rays coverage.

Ron and Ian are geniuses compared to the bits of local sports programming we get (Sileo is on here too, but running opposite Mike and Mike, which are much better) and we get the ESPN feeds up until 12 when we are subjected to Jim Rome, who make Ron and Ian look like Rhodes Scholars.

After that we get local programming that pre-emps Rays games, so they are joined “in progress” so we can listen to two golf shows and a wrestling/MMA show from 6-8pm.

As you all know, I’ve been a Red Sox fan and the Rays have quickly become my second favorite team. They’d have a real shot of becoming my favorite team if I could hear the games on radio in total, and could see most of their games on TV without having to pay for premium cable to get whatever station besides ION runs the games.

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.

by pocket8pin on Jan 13, 2009 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't even listen to FM radio. 620 AM, 1010 AM, and 1250 AM are the only stations programmed in my car....

With that being said, I will agree that Bobby Fenton has more baseball knowledge and is much more pleasant to listen to than any other radio host/show. However, I will stop short of calling Ron & Ian “complete morons” or Steve Duemig for that matter. Granted, it would help if there was a host who talked baseball more in depth, but I enjoy listening tp all of them. Actually, Dan Silieo kind of pisses me off sometimes. Damn Yankee.

I agree with acelion’s comments too. He has a good point in that Ron & Ian are more geared towrds other sports. Mainly that’s because the Rays sucked for years. Things are changing and surely more Rays coverage will be heard, but I find it funny that all you guys talk shit about how horrible these radio hosts are because they still have jobs. So obviously somebody listens to them. If you want to complain, write Clearchannel to get some more air time set aside for baseball.

by TheUltimateBucFan on Jan 13, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would agree with you

But when Justin and Tyler are doing most of the work, then I got a problem. And so should Clear Channel, but they don’t. They are complete morons because they don’t want to talk to callers, plain and simple. Why is that, I ask? I spoke to Clear Channel and they told me (which I already thought), that they aren’t prepped to do it! So again, its everyone’s loss, and the Rays have a fiduciary responsibility to PUSH Clear Channel for NO BIAS and complete transparency in their coverage. If they are going to have a Bucs’ style player/manager show, then whoever the host is needs to be engaging. The hosts ARE a joke, sorry, but they are. They are geared for sex, food and women, NOT sports. They will tell you sports are a joke.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 13, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll agree with the sex, food, and women thing. All you have to do is check out the website. I never quite got that....

I also will agreethat Justin and Tyler put in alot of work. Personally, Justin is my favorite and I enjoy when he is on or fills in. He needs his own gig. As for the rest, all I can say everyone is allowed their own opinion.

by TheUltimateBucFan on Jan 13, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

this is excellent news for us folk in Sarasota.

by walkoffwalk on Jan 13, 2009 9:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm curious:

What animals are smarter than Duemig? Or, if no one wants to type all of them, which aren’t?

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 13, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ron thought Pat the Bat was from Boston

They have very little sports knowledge. Sileo doesn’t know much besides football. Duemig has the most knowledge but is a pompous ass.

by matthan on Jan 13, 2009 10:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The sports talk radio hosts here are idiots

My apologies to idiots.

The only one who has any clue is Fenton. I will listen to him and only him. I listen to Rome too, but less for the sports and more for the bum smack.

by Sveet on Jan 14, 2009 9:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ron and Ian has turned into a three hour commercial for Nature Bee and Grillsmith.

The rest of the time they gloss over some sports, mention some hot women, and then they usually pimp some charity or good cause to make them selves feel good.

by save_the_trop on Jan 14, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's their game

That’s the station’s game too. It isn’t the teams, its a sell-fest! And who does that benefit when you ram a law firm or niche products down somebody’s throats? What do you know?? Again, Fernandez and Silverman, you are on notice for this move. Yes, you got the better signal, but you are also dealing with the devil, proverbially speaking. Sans Duemig, I have problems with the strategical direction of their basic programming.

It’s the only way they can feel good, Tropper! Again, they are a joke and a disgrace.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 14, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And Rich Herrera

Sorry folks, he HAS to go. He lacks extemporaneous speaking ability. He fumbles and trips, and I wonder the way he says and talks, if he really cares? He may be a real nice guy, I am sure he is, but he takes a lot of the anticipation out of their broadcasts. I am surprised all he has to do too is sell, but that is a decision made between the team and Clear Channel for their selection. He adds nothing, compared to other pre-game and intermission hosts who try to add a different layer of intellect to it. The post game shows are a one-way discussion whenever he hosts. Herrera is an “ouch”.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 14, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

“I saw Kevin Mawae (or fill in the blank) and he sucks.” Is he jealous or doesn’t know any better? Yet Kevin Mawae is one of the most accomplished offensive lineman in the past 12 season in the league.

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 14, 2009 10:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Derrik and Justin are the reason to listen to 620

Who cares about Ron & Ian? Those guys are just radio hacks. If they had true baseball guys on the radio they’d have to move the station to a town with a lot more baseball fans.

We’ve got a long way to go in this town folks. Until we get all of the walking dead to abandon their home teams like they abandoned their home towns, we will continue to play 2nd fiddle to football.

Also, I will fight anyone who says BJ is lazy to my face.

by Thejeffg on Jan 14, 2009 11:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs