Rating Radio’s Sports Jockeys

After spending the better part of two weeks listening to XTRA and KMPC, staff writer and former talk - show enthusiast Gene Wojciechowski offers his very subjective rankings of the stations’ on-air talent. The results:

1) LEE HAMILTON (XTRA)

Strengths: A radio voice to die for. . . . The most distinctive sports talk show in the local market (KMPC’s Jim Healy would win if all categories were included). . . . A work ethic second to none. . . . A well-developed and constantly updated collection of reference material. . . . An effective shtick (“Talk to me, San Diego . . . “). . . . The most answered calls per hour. . . . Name recognition aided by work on Charger and San Diego State broadcasts.

Weaknesses: A sense of humor wouldn’t hurt. After all, it’s only sports. . . . In his effort to know something about everything, Hamilton sometimes stretches himself too thin. . . . Can’t resist a juicy rumor, however threadbare in fact. . . . Should make it clear to listeners that the Newsmaker Line isn’t always a live interview.

Summary: In the busy afternoon drive-time slot, Hamilton attracts the sports-show listeners considered most important by ratings experts--men, ages 25-54. If we were KMPC, we would have tried to hire him, too.

2) JIM LAMPLEY (KMPC)

Strengths: Doesn’t take himself or sports too seriously. . . . Versatile--can handle light or serious topics and interviews with equal aplomb. . . . Surprisingly funny and quirky. . . . A boxing expert. . . . Can attract big-time guests because of national reputation. . . . Willing to experiment with his format. . . . Understands that his callers are co-stars of the show.

Weaknesses: Not always the best-prepared host. He recently asked U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling Coach Bobby Douglas about his Arizona State program. Douglas coaches at Iowa State, not Arizona State. . . . Theme song sends listeners screaming into the streets.

Summary: Lampley’s subtle, off-beat style is fun. Simple as that.

3) CHET FORTE (XTRA)

Strengths: We could listen to him talk about the inside world of television sports for hours. . . . Despite his well-publicized past personal problems, Forte earns listener credibility because of his ties to ABC. . . . Very opinionated. . . . Seems interested in what the caller has to say.

Weaknesses: Is there a commercial he doesn’t do? At last count: limousines, credit agencies, permanent hair restoration, logo companies and Italian restaurants. . . . Occasional sexist remarks. An example: When actress Sean Young visited co-host Steve Hartman at the Santa Monica XTRA location, Forte remarked the next day, “I’d like to take a limousine drive with her.” . . . Can suck up to guests with the best of them.

Summary: Forte’s days as a TV director serve him well here. He knows how to take a topic and squeeze the most out of it. Without Forte, “The Loose Cannons” would be indistinguishable.

4) JOE McDONNELL (KMPC)

Strengths: A rarity in radio: A talk-show host who isn’t afraid to fight for a scoop. Unlike many of his peers, McDonnell actually knows how to work a locker room or clubhouse. He actually attends games. . . . Extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the Lakers and Dodgers. . . . Says exactly what he thinks. . . . Breaks stories.

Weaknesses: Stubborn to a fault. Joe, you really wouldn’t trade Sam Perkins for Hakeem Olajuwon? Betcha Jerry West would. . . . Has a vindictive streak when it comes to newspaper TV-radio columnists and XTRA (calls it “that Baja station”). . . . Needs to refine studio work.

Summary: A bit on the raw side when it comes to talk radio, but we definitely would want him on our team.

5) STEVE MASON (XTRA)

Strengths: A former publicity director for the minor league Toledo Mud Hens and rotisserie league owner extraordinaire, Mason knows baseball. . . . Imagine David Letterman doing a sports-talk show. Reduce the nonsense factor by a third and you have Mason. . . . A clever style.

Weaknesses: We could do without the civic lessons. On election day he kept reminding everyone that people had died to secure our right to vote. . . . One request: Enough with the Steve Hawt-man dialect. . . . A bit too smug on occasion.

Summary: Mason combines the right amount of sports knowledge with the proper amount of irreverence.

6) JIM ROME (XTRA)

Strengths: Producer Tom Tutino hustles hard to get Rome great guests. In a week’s time, Rome had Ted Williams, Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky, Ozzie Smith and Jim Valvano on the show. . . . Makes hockey a priority. . . . In your face from show’s beginning. . . . Makes the most of a so-so time slot (7-midnight). . . . Isn’t afraid to work. Worked so hard he developed an ulcer when he was 25. He’s 27 now. . . . Only Hamilton talks with more callers per hour.

Weaknesses: A huge self-promoter. Writes his own publicity sheet each day. “The fastest-growing talk show in all of Southern California,” it reads. Rome faxes it to reporters. Memo to Rome: Ever hear of the Earth Summit? Save the paper and let your work do the talking. . . . Speaking of huge. Lose the nickname, “The Huge One.” It sounds silly for someone who weighs about 150 pounds and is fourth in the XTRA starting rotation. . . . Please, no more mention of the “New York Bricks” or “Choke City.”

Summary: XTRA brass say Rome is a star in the making. We reserve judgment, but will say this for him: He never backs down from an issue or interview, and although his style is a tad annoying for our tastes, he keeps you listening.

7) BRAD CESMAT (XTRA)

Strengths: A straight man, if there ever was one. The perfect complement to smart aleck Mason. . . . In a business full of oversized egos, Cesmat keeps his in check. . . . Has a broad range of sports knowledge. . . . Knows the San Diego sports scene. . . . The best-dressed radio man in all of Southern California.

Weaknesses: Could he carry his own show? Who knows? . . . Semi-bland, but that’s not his fault. XTRA wants Mason to dominate the program.

Summary: Competent, professional and a team player.

8) DOUG KRIKORIAN (KMPC)

Strengths: Always has an opinion. . . . Knows his way around every team in Los Angeles. . . . Gets along with partner McDonnell. . . . A strong interviewer.

Weaknesses: No glaring holes. Then again, Krikorian has been on the job for only a week.

Summary: The Long Beach Press-Telegram columnist is at ease behind a microphone.

9) STEVE HARTMAN (XTRA)

Strengths: His fellow workers say he possesses a photographic memory when it comes to statistics and facts. We believe them. . . . The perfect set-up man for Forte. . . . Always steers the conversation toward the hot topic of the day. . . . Is XTRA’s man in Los Angeles.

Weaknesses: A Raider homer? . . . Not known as a frequent visitor to many of the Los Angeles or Orange County sports franchises.

Summary: A solid performer who seems to get a little better each day. Forte and Hartman make an entertaining team.

10) TODD CHRISTENSEN (formerly of KMPC)

Strengths: His vocabulary. . . . His experience as a former Raider star. . . . A very different approach to sports talk.

Weaknesses: His vocabulary. . . . His lack of studio experience.

Summary: We sort of liked Christensen’s on-air style. Loaded with potential, we wish he would have stuck around.

11) FRED WALLIN (KMPC)

Strengths: Mother lets him stay up past midnight. . . . Despite the crummy time slot, still draws a decent number of callers. . . . Well versed in almost every sport.

Weaknesses: That gawd-awful time slot.

Summary: Wallin isn’t a graveyard shift throwaway. Insomniacs could do worse than to listen to Wallin’s show.

12) DAN WILKINS (XTRA)

Strengths: A willingness to do anything his superiors ask him to do. . . . A great sense of humor.

Weaknesses: The inability to say no.

Summary: A budding radio cult hero. Sort of.

13) ROBERT W. MORGAN (KMPC)

Strengths: Sidekick Scott St. James.

Weaknesses: A format, with the exception of St. James’ sports updates, that doesn’t feature any sports talk.

Summary: KMPC officials promise a different kind of Morgan show in the coming weeks, one that appeals to younger sports - oriented listeners. We hope so.