Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2009 > January > 20 > Entry
1/20: Leo Mazzone hired at 680/The Fan for morning show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While the President gets sworn in, plenty of radio news has happened.
Clear Channel nationwide is cutting wide and deep. Locally, I’ve heard the loss of key sales people as well as the program director at WGST-AM/640 Randall Bloomquist. I’m not sure if anybody on air has lost their jobs yet. I’ll add more when I get them.
And 680/The Fan today announced it has signed on former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone to the morning show with Christopher Rude and Perry Laurentino.
Mazzone was a key member of the Braves when they were a playoff team. He left in 2005 for the Orioles, a rather disastrous situation for him and he was gone within two years.
The Fan boss David Dickey said Mazzone had a lot of time on his hands last year and they set up a short-term “Leo Mazzone” show during the baseball season twice a week. This led to this full-time gig. On top of his baseball knowledge, he knows quite a bit about football as well.
“We have someone with a professional sports background and it’s a benefit to the listeners that he was a material part of the Braves’ unprecedented run,” Dickey said.
“Where Perry is the vocal fan, Leo can confront him and make him debate all the time. And with Chris, he can joke around,” Dickey said. “He has a lot of fun and it shows.”
Two former 790 exiles Matt Chernoff and Chuck Oliver this week started their noon to 3 p.m. show as well.
680/The Fan,. which now has stronger ratings than 790/The Zone in general, has expanded its local coverage the past year and during the 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. time frame, the only syndicated product now is Colin Cowherd from 10 to noon.
Comments
By Randall Bloomquist - former WGST PD
January 20, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
Looks like I’m not having a good day. The Boss Lady just tossed me out of the Building of Death. I wonder if Deskins can get me a job cleaning toilets at the Walmart on Bankhead Highway.
By TXDawg
January 20, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
Now if they add Maddux, Avery, Glavine and Wohlers, 680 might stand a better chance of getting to the playoffs than the Braves.
Bring back Mazzone and find the next generation of great pitchers!!
By trevor ritter
January 20, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
Leo stinks on the air. His sense of humor is rediculously out of date, he laughs to loud and often and is completely out of touch with the listeners. Who cares about baseball pitching opinions, or baseball in general for that matter. Leo is not the king of the radio jungle!
By trevor ritter
January 20, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
Leo stinks on the air. His sense of humor is rediculously out of date, he laughs too loud and often and is completely out of touch with the listeners. Who cares about baseball pitching opinions, or baseball in general for that matter. Leo is not the king of the radio jungle!
By Otis Dixon
January 20, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Talk about a gruesome threesome. Actually, Rude is tolerable but Laurentino is obnoxious and the opposite of funny. I’ve met Leo in person and he is pretty much a jerk.
By PTC DAWG
January 20, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this
IF Leo is now full time, count me out. He’s tolerable for a 20 minute segment or so, but not much else.
By JM
January 20, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Laurentino is pathetic. All he talks about o Southern Cal. Who gives a flying bleep about SoCal anyway. In the South, USC means University of South Carolina.
By Ctstyle
January 20, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Hopefully, Leo will be gone when the baseball season is over next year. They should put Matt and Chuck in the morning show, because they do real sports talk, and have great chemistry. Now that they have some talent, put them on when people can hear them.
By Johnny DangerDawg
January 20, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this
When they watch footage of a guy pitching, I wonder if Leo starts rocking back and forth really intensely.
By DIRTY
January 20, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
Man Laurentino, is tolerable due to the fact that he represents the wannabe elitist know-it-alls. But Leo is cause to trun the channel. He is a square, with a very poor sense of humor. Talk about alienating folks. Leo is just not made for a metro area sports talk show. Unfortunately, 790 on the morning is not very much of an option either, those guys spend about 30% of the time talking sports and the rest on some B.S. Guess I’ll get hip again and start listening to FM radio in the morning, or perhaps purchase XM for some tolerable sportstalk.
By DIRTY
January 20, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
Man Laurentino, is tolerable due to the fact that he represents the wannabe elitist know-it-alls. But Leo is cause to trun the channel. He is a square, with a very poor sense of humor. Talk about alienating folks. Leo is just not made for a metro area sports talk show. Unfortunately, 790 on the morning is not very much of an option either, those guys spend about 30% of the time talking sports and the rest on some B.S. Guess I’ll get hip again and start listening to FM radio in the morning, or perhaps purchase XM for some tolerable sportstalk.
By DIRTY
January 20, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
Man Laurentino, is tolerable due to the fact that he represents the wannabe elitist know-it-alls. But Leo is cause to trun the channel. He is a square, with a very poor sense of humor. Talk about alienating folks. Leo is just not made for a metro area sports talk show. Unfortunately, 790 on the morning is not very much of an option either, those guys spend about 30% of the time talking sports and the rest on some B.S. Guess I’ll get hip again and start listening to FM radio in the morning, or perhaps purchase XM for some tolerable sportstalk.
By DIRTY
January 20, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
Man Laurentino, is tolerable due to the fact that he represents the wannabe elitist know-it-alls. But Leo is cause to trun the channel. He is a square, with a very poor sense of humor. Talk about alienating folks. Leo is just not made for a metro area sports talk show. Unfortunately, 790 on the morning is not very much of an option either, those guys spend about 30% of the time talking sports and the rest on some B.S. Guess I’ll get hip again and start listening to FM radio in the morning, or perhaps purchase XM for some tolerable sportstalk.
By chazs
January 20, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Not a good mood. Most were OK with Leo moving to Baltimore. The last thing we want to do is listen to Leo second guessing the Braves. Back to Imus for me, if I can figure when he is on.
By Millwood
January 20, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
Steak Shapiro is the devil.
By realman
January 20, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
Talk radio is for the lowesst common denominator. Morons and sports wannabe’s. Nobody cares what you think.
By All the Facts
January 20, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
Just the icing on the cake to never listen to this show…Laurentino is about as cool as AIDS and now him and Leo together are “bringing down the house”…
By Josh M
January 20, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
Can they can stop the show from becoming just little league dads asking Leo when their sons should start throwing curves?
By All the Facts
January 20, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
Just the icing on the cake to never listen to this show…Laurentino is about as cool as AIDS and now him and Leo together are “bringing down the house”…
By Rusty Pecker
January 20, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
Adios Bloomquist! Dont let the door hit your a ss on the way out. Hopefully that fruit Chris Williams got canned as well.
By DIRTY
January 20, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this
I hope the suits at 790 can read, ever post is a pleading NO to LEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Why
January 20, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this
I used to be a big 790 listener but don’t listen at all anymore as they devolved into uncompelling radio..but this is the first bad move by 680 in a while.
I wonder how Leo will break down the Hawks,the NBA’s eastern confernce battle for supremacy, college basketball, Nascar, or the Nfl Draft.
They should’ve hired Steak Shapirio(food) or David Pollack(football)if they wanted someone who knows nothing but one thing. Bad 680
By Joshua Barlowe
January 20, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
Perry and Leo are both annoying - and none of the three know much about sports (aside from the obvious Leo and pitching).
If 680 was smart - they would’ve made the morning show Rude (entertainment) with Chernoff and Chuck Oliver (talent with lots of sports knowledge).
Having your two most knowledgeable people on when nobody listens (12-3) is dumb.
By Joshua Barlowe
January 20, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
Perry and Leo are both annoying - and none of the three know much about sports (aside from the obvious Leo and pitching).
If 680 was smart - they would’ve made the morning show Rude (entertainment) with Chernoff and Chuck Oliver (talent with lots of sports knowledge).
Having your two most knowledgeable people on when nobody listens (12-3) is dumb.
By fred hardy
January 20, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
Maybe Leo can teach Rude to throw a curveball.
By I see
January 20, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
Probably done so that 790 couldn’t scoop him up as an expert this year. Poor Chris Dimino. Somebody save that guy from the hell he is in with those 790 losers.
By Joshua Barlowe
January 20, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
Perry and Leo are both annoying - and none of the three know much about sports (aside from the obvious Leo and pitching).
If 680 was smart - they would’ve made the morning show Rude (entertainment) with Chernoff and Chuck Oliver (talent with lots of sports knowledge).
Having your two most knowledgeable people on when nobody listens (12-3) is dumb.
By FRANK FARRELL
January 20, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
Now 680 can get rid of Rude, master of the obvious.
By Peegs in a Blanket
January 20, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
Chernoff is a whiny know-it-all who induces me to change the dial within 5 minutes. Laurentino is a self-absorbed elitist, but he’s also self-deprecating, which levels the playing field…and Christopher Rude knows just how to strike the right balance with him. Kincade alone is a disaster, but with Buck he’s tolerable. The guys on 790 are either too-New York or too-hip hop for my tastes. Leo Mazzone got boring DURING THE BASEBALL SEASON last year. God help us.
By Heard it all before
January 20, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
Leo second-guessing the Braves? Have you ever heard that guy’s sucking up? As far as he’s concerned, that franchise has never made a strategic mistake since the mid-80s.
By Herschworld
January 20, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
Leo doesn’t hold a candle to Guy Guyser…You love sports, he loves sports..we’re talkin sports!!! Ron and Rez xm 202 12 to 3 pm
By Ben W.
January 20, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
Leo will annoy a lot of 680/fans. Why can’t he get a job as pitching coach in the majors?
By JD
January 20, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
Maybe now they will talk about sports rather that movies they have seen and all the other miscellaneous trivia (not sports) that they seem to love.
By Action
January 20, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this
I love the move. I think Rude and Perry have outstanding chemistry and offer such a good-guy bad-guy dialogue. I never get tired of Leo analyzing baseball either. That guy knows his stuff. I’m pretty sure that if you haven’t figured out how to not let Perry get on your nerves, then YOU are very lame.
By Peachtree John
January 20, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
Where do all the compliments for Chernoff & Chuck come from? I quickly tire of their attempted argumentative commentary, as well as their high pitched voices; not to mention the lack of content. I’m sure they are fine individuals, but not for the radio waves.
By therealrandalbloomquist
January 20, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
Ratings-savvy readers are no doubt shaking their heads at my contention that we succeeded in revamping (insert station I destoyed here) over the past three years. They know the station’s share of the all-important 25-54-year-old audience is much smaller than when I arrived. True enough.
By Deke
January 20, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
Finally, someone on the 680 morning show who actually knows something about sports.
By BRETT SHEPHERD
January 20, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
Right on to the individual that also noticed how much of a Braves kiss * Leo Mazzone is.
Leo Mazzone is a joke and he will last about 1 month..he reminds me of the guy in his 50’s that still thinks he’s 21.
Perry, like me is a USC Trojans fan. But he gets all scared of the SEC and other non Trojans fans when they call the show to dog out the mighty Trojans…perry grow some cajones.
Rude is funny…I just hope he doesn’t get a sexual harrasment case from Jennifer “wannabe Dagmar”Valdez or even Dagmar herself….
By Bronson Annoy-o
January 20, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
I’m surprised Morton Anderson doesn’t have a radio gig here. He’s pretty funny for an ex-jock…
By JM
January 20, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
High pitched voices indeed. Chuck Oliver sounds like th Martian on the Bugs Bunny cartoons…who is he anyway?
By Wineman
January 20, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
Dimino is the only talent 790 has left, until his contract expires.
By John Kincade is Gay
January 20, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
Nobody sucks like John Kincade.
By Tattletale Strangler
January 20, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to actually here Leo speak instead of Perry walking all over everything. I bet Perry doesn’t even pause when they load commercials…
By Claudel Washington
January 20, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this
I too met Leo in person and he is a jerk. My wife also noticed he wears girl shoes. I’ll find another channel to listen to.
By mikeingeorgia
January 20, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this
I don’t know Leo personally but he took the time ten years ago to send my father, a big Braves fan, a get well card as he fought cancer at age 81..my father was a former roommate/batterymate of Boston Braves rhp Vern Bickford in minor league ball..I believe cancer took Vern in the late fifties…so congratulations to Leo…good luck..and to the naysayers, understand we all have a good side, even if it doesn’t show all the time. We’re all human…enjoy it while you can !!!
By T-bone
January 20, 2009 6:58 PM | Link to this
Come on Rodney —- get the details on the post-mortam at the building of death. Bloomquist is out - but what did he ever do? How about those who mattered there?
By NY Nick
January 20, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this
Check out some of the Footage from the afc/nfc Championship throwdown with 680 the Fan…Checkout what rude has to say about Perry Copy and Paste into URL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l97FSaHEbY&fmt=18
By NY Nick
January 20, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
Check out some of the Footage from the afc/nfc Championship throwdown with 680 the Fan…Checkout what rude has to say about Perry Copy and Paste into URL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l97FSaHEbY&fmt=18
By NY Nick
January 20, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
Check out some of the Footage from the afc/nfc Championship throwdown with 680 the Fan…Checkout what rude has to say about Perry Copy and Paste into URL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l97FSaHEbY&fmt=18
By Tony G
January 20, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
NY NICK!!!! quit posting your lame video request. I purposely have not looked at it because you keep begging people to look at it get a life.
680, not a good move, your morning show already beats sorry Shapiro’s. No need to add anything. Leo is not good.
By Richard
January 20, 2009 7:52 PM | Link to this
Rodney
Updates at CC Atlanta Layoffs:
CC/ATLANTA Imaging Director ADAM SCHNEIDER is out. SCHNEIDER imaged WJLS (Project 9-6-1) and WUBL (94-9)
I am glad I left Clear Chanel many years ago but I still follow the disaster that is occurring.
Here is what the imbecile Mark Mays who still runs CC said
“Starting now, it is our ability to bring creative thinking to the current business climate - to focus on the benefits we deliver for customers - to show extreme focus and commitment — that will create results.
Clear Channel Communications has more resources than any of our peers. The tools are here. The support is here. It’s time to use them to create lasting competitive advantage for our customers - and for our company.”
By NY Nick
January 20, 2009 7:55 PM | Link to this
We Love you Tony G..Your a GOOD Man!!
Checkout The Footage on You-Tube..Yeah what Tony G.Says!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l97FSaHEbY&fmt=18
By NY Nick
January 20, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this
Check out some of the Footage from the afc/nfc Championship throwdown with 680 the Fan…Checkout what rude has to say about Perry Copy and Paste into URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l97FSaHEbY&fmt=18
By Tony G
January 20, 2009 8:02 PM | Link to this
You are either a 680 employee or some attention seeking-groupie-geek! This is a blog about Leo coming to 680 not a forum for videos of your man love for two men.
By Tony G
January 20, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this
Ny Nick You are either a 680 employee or some attention seeking-groupie-geek! This is a blog about Leo coming to 680 not a forum for videos of your man love for two men.
By Tony G
January 20, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this
Ny Nick You are either a 680 employee or some attention seeking-groupie-geek! This is a blog about Leo coming to 680 not a forum for videos of your man love for two men.
By Mary Davis
January 20, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
Almost 1,900 people are laid off by Clear Channel today and this is what you write about?
By Joyce
January 20, 2009 9:26 PM | Link to this
I have always enjoyed listening to Perry and Rude. Perry is the guy you love to hate and as someone else said Rude strikes the balance. I was happy to see Jamie Dukes moved on. His constanting bickering with Perry was just too much. Brian Finnerin brought a new and interesting aspect to the show. I actually wished he could have stayed around. Chernoff was annoying with his abrupt remarks and constant complaining about something, glad to see him move on as well. Leo has a nice radio voice but I am not certain his personality and knowledge base will bring anything additional to the show.
By Rachel
January 20, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this
Mazzone is about as bad at announcing as he is good at coaching. He calls the game as if the only thing that happens is the pitching. Pretty unbearable for a whole game. Just bring him back as a coach!
By Rick
January 20, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this
680 usually gets it right. They did again…for a horror show. I can’t listen to 790 in the morning, now I can’t to 680…IPod city or Boortz I guess.
By Bad Poker
January 21, 2009 12:09 AM | Link to this
790 opens with Pollack (bore), 680 calls with Chuck Oliver (actually not bad), 790 raises with a sports chick (weak), 680 raises with Mazzone (dull), so now I guess 790 will go all in with Chris Draft, Brian Finneran or Rafael Ramirez ! I fold!!!!!!!!!! People in charge are stupid!
By Steve Avery
January 21, 2009 7:46 AM | Link to this
Hey Leo, can you get me a job?
By NY Nick
January 21, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this
Check out some of the Footage from the afc/nfc Championship throwdown with 680 the Fan…Checkout what rude has to say about Perry Copy and Paste into URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l97FSaHEbY&fmt=18
By Tony G
January 21, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
You are either a 680 employee or some attention seeking-groupie-geek! This is a blog about Leo coming to 680 not a forum for videos of your man love for two men.
By allan
January 21, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Leo is the only one on the air that speaks with any knowledge of baseball. his storys are one of a kind. great insite and tells it like it is. keep up the good work 680
By Steak Shapiro
January 21, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
For my next move, I’m going to also team up with the afternoon show. That way everyone can get 7 to 8 hours of Steakie a day, which I know everyone out there loves. Get ready for more food talk, name dropping, and what I did with Nola and Baby Sophie each and every morning/afternoon.
With this new move, 790 will make a big come back cha cha’s!
By Mike Smell
January 21, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
Hey, anyone want to hear my great impersonations 24 hours a day? I’m setting up a new chat line where you can dial in anytime and hear side-splittingly funny impersonations—everyone from Dolly Parton to the Dalai Lama. I supply the laugh track, just like I do on the radio.
Only 99 cents per minute.
By pretty woman
January 23, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
“If 680 were smart…” 680 proved it’s lack of smarts a long time ago. That’s all I can say
By Art Vandalay
January 23, 2009 1:48 PM | Link to this
Compared to 790, 680 is the President of MENSA.