Dave Grosby Retires

Seattle Sports Reporter and talk show host Dave Grosby retired from his regular radio show last Friday.
 Grosby has worked in broadcasting for 29 years, becoming well known reporting sports on KIRO radio before teaming up with Mike Gastineau on Sportsradio 950 KJR.  He returned to KIRO AM when it became 710ESPN, a full time sports station.
Grosby says that he will still be involved with the station in various ways.
Above, Gros is pictured in the top center with the Mariner broadcast crew after throwing out the first pitch at last night's game.  Thank you to Dave Sims (left) for the picture.

Levy Podcast In The Works?

I recently posted about former KJR Sportsradio 950 morning host Mitch Levy beginning a podcast. The above tweet suggests that indeed something must be in the works.  Levy held the morning spot for years on the station and was known for no holds barred commentary.

The Fish Swims Away

Puget Sound.media reports that Jeff Aaron, known in local sports broadcasting in the area as "The Fish", has left KRKO in Everett.   Aaron had been in radio in Everett for 16 years, but may be better known as Mitch Levy's likable sidekick on Sportsradio KJR.  

On KJR, Aaron was known for his grasp of sports history, he was often referred to by his co-host as Mr. Trivia.  He left KJR and Levy with a memorable last show. He landed at KRKO in 2002.

A format change to music at KRKO  has prompted his departure.  The Everett Herald is reporting that the Fish is heading for Phoenix to continue his sports broadcasting career.

Seattle Times: Sports Reporters To Be Read, Not Heard

My favorite sports blog, Seattle Sportsnet, reports that starting September 5th of this year, the Seattle Times will not allow it's sports staff to appear in other local media.  Sportsradio KJR 950 has routinely sought analysis from reporters from both Seattle Times and the Tacoma News Tribune.  I first heard of John Clayton from from former KJR host Mike Gastineau's afternoon show, Clayton at the time, was a reporter for the Tacoma paper. Clayton would eventually shoot to fame as an ESPN football analyst.
Presently, Seattle Times reporters Ryan Divish (baseball) and Bob Condotta  (football) are prominently featured on KJR. 
According to Sportsnet, this was an order from the Times publisher, perhaps in response to attacks from KJR talk show hosts attacking the paper's stance on the building of the proposed Sodo arena.  The Times editorially has been a critic of the Sodo Project and an advocate for a remodel of the Key Arena at the Seattle Center.

Sportsradio 950 KJR Adds New Voice

Sportsradio 950 KJR, an all sports radio station now for more than 20 years, has added a new host. This week, Chuck Powell has taken the 10am to noon weekday slot, previously held by Seattle Times Sports Columnist Jerry Brewer and long time "Twisted Radio" Bob Rivers sidekick Spike O'Neil.
Powell, who had worked in the Phoenix area, is the station's first major hire from outside the Seattle market in years.  According to his bio, Powell had been in radio for almost 25 years, starting at 19.  Besides sports he has done comedy radio, most recently on KTAR in Phoenix.  I managed to get this snippet from his first show on KJR.  We wish him the best of luck!

KJR Kosher For Cougs Again

Not so very long ago, listening to Sports Radio 950 was a passion you could share with all of your sports buddies.  Water cooler discussion were based on what outrageous thing Mitch or Softy may have said during a particular broadcast day. 
In 2002, KJR won the rights to broadcast Washington HuskyFootball and Basketball, as a consequence, the station became something of an unabashed booster of the Husky programs.  While I continued to listen, many WSU Cougs abandoned the station.
Yesterday, it was announced the U-W sports were returning to KOMO1000.  Does that mean Cougs will come back?  Time will tell.

Gasman Leaving KJR

It's said that "all good things must come to an end" and today's Seattle Times announced that Mike Gastineau, known as the Gasman on KJR, is leaving the station.   When KJR, one of Seattle's venerable radio stations became a sports talk station in the early 90s, many of it's on-air personalities were abrasive toward both the players and fans who called in.  Gastineau had a much different approach, fair and even handed. Gastineau had a friendly way of educating his callers, who may not have seen the full picture.  As the station has evolved, there are fewer call-ins and more interviews and commentary.  Gastineau has been afternoon drive at KJR for almost 20 years, almost 3 lifetimes in big market radio.  He has been with KJR  for 21 years.  His community service includes hosting the Fred Hutchinson Award and the KJR Kares-A-Thon Charity Auction..  He has said that he will persue other opportunities.

Hansen Reveals Investment Partners

In an interview with Sportsradio 950 morning personality Mitch Levy, Chris Hansen revealed his partners in the endeavor to build an indoor sports arena in hopes of bringing an NBA team to Seattle.  Hansen said that Microsoft Executive Steve Balmer and Erik and Peter Nordstrom of the well known Seattle based retailing family.
Hansen also said he was aware that Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn was going to New York to meet with NBA Commissioner David Stern despite rumours to the contrary.

KJR-AM Morning Traffic Reporter Leaving

KJR Sportsradio Traffic Reporter Nina (I know her last name but she does not use it on the radio) has announced that she is leaving the station for a new opportunity. She will be leaving the station later this month. Nina replaced veteran Tracy Taylor, who left to report on KING5.

She is pictured above on the left. Nina has not announced what or where the new job will be.

Seattle Sports Host Interviews Leaf

With great command in the "pocket" and a laser accurate arm, Ryan Leaf in 1997 took WSU to it's first Rose Bowl in 60 odd years. He seemed like a slam dunk to succeed in the NFL and in fact was the number two overall draft pick the following year by the San Diego Chargers. Instead of stardom, Leaf suffered a series of missteps, nearly ruining the Chargers franchise.
After being out of the "public eye" for nearly a decade, Leaf was in the headlines again last year after reports that he was about to be indicted on a breaking and entering charge. KJR midday host Ian Furness interviewed a seemingly contrite Leaf last Wednesday. You can hear the interview by clicking here.

Sportradio's Tracy Taylor Still Gets The Most Hits

Almost 2 years ago, I decided to write about KJR's returning Traffic Reporter and morning personality Tracy Taylor,
Taylor had returned to the station after a gig in North Carolina. The popularity of that article, indicated by sitemeter, inspired me to do 2 additional stories. Those three posts, Continue to bring dozens of readers to this blog, including Taylor herself. Taylor is perhaps the area's best known and most popular radio personality. She also is a very nice person. You can hear Tracy Taylor and her traffic reports, along with her morning banter, on 950 Sportsradio KJR.

After Almost A Year--Tracy Taylor Gets The Hits

According to Site Meter, an article that I posted last August on KJR Traffic Reporter Tracy Taylor, is read more than any other story on this blog. Google users find this site several times daily, in their search for probably the sportstalk station's most popular personality. No doubt big things are in store for her.