Sports Editor
What would Batman's Gotham city look like without the Joker? Or imagine Star Wars without an appearance from Darth Vader? Or what about Superman without the worries of Lex Luthor?
Now enter Chicago, the third biggest media market in the country and fresh off losing its top two villains: Jay Mariotti and Mike North.
Let's face it, Chicago without Mariotti and North became a whole lot softer. Both cynics kept the heat on the Chicago sports scene, and rightfully so. No two polarizing figures inspired such passionate opinions - both for and against - as these guys did. They provided constant fodder for sports conversation around the lunch cooler and basically provided a regular dialogue for an entire day of sports radio.
North, in true shock-jock form had his fair share of controversies while manning the airwaves on WSCR 670-AM. North's rise from hot dog vendor at Wrigley Field to hosting the morning show on the Score included borderline racist ramblings. North was never afraid to throw blows at Chicago sports figures with his pull no punches demeanor.
In June of 2008, North left his gig at the Score after 16 years when his contract ended and the station and North couldn't compromise on a new deal.
Mariotti, who left his sport's column at the Sun-Times last week after 17 years, ripping his former employee on the way out, saying their website was archaic and he didn't want to go down on a sinking ship. His personal battles included shots at fellow staffers, team owners, managers, coaches, players and even team broadcasters.
In June 2006, Mariotti was the target of a public rant with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen after the columnist questioned the manager's handling of demoted relief pitcher. Guillen got fed up with the accusation and lashed out at Mariotti in a profanity laced tirade that questioned his sexual preference.
By all accounts, could Mariotti have improved his relationships with his co-workers and could he have made more appearances in the teams' locker rooms? Sure. But did he do his job and keep a critical eye on the Chicago sports landscape and keep readers craving to open the back page? Without a doubt.
All that being said, these two contrarians played the villain role in Chicago perfectly and never threw rose pedals at the feet of the athletes.
So what does Chicago look like without them? A much more optimistic and cheerful place, for sure, but a far less entertaining one at that.
Now enter Chicago, the third biggest media market in the country and fresh off losing its top two villains: Jay Mariotti and Mike North.
Let's face it, Chicago without Mariotti and North became a whole lot softer. Both cynics kept the heat on the Chicago sports scene, and rightfully so. No two polarizing figures inspired such passionate opinions - both for and against - as these guys did. They provided constant fodder for sports conversation around the lunch cooler and basically provided a regular dialogue for an entire day of sports radio.
North, in true shock-jock form had his fair share of controversies while manning the airwaves on WSCR 670-AM. North's rise from hot dog vendor at Wrigley Field to hosting the morning show on the Score included borderline racist ramblings. North was never afraid to throw blows at Chicago sports figures with his pull no punches demeanor.
In June of 2008, North left his gig at the Score after 16 years when his contract ended and the station and North couldn't compromise on a new deal.
Mariotti, who left his sport's column at the Sun-Times last week after 17 years, ripping his former employee on the way out, saying their website was archaic and he didn't want to go down on a sinking ship. His personal battles included shots at fellow staffers, team owners, managers, coaches, players and even team broadcasters.
In June 2006, Mariotti was the target of a public rant with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen after the columnist questioned the manager's handling of demoted relief pitcher. Guillen got fed up with the accusation and lashed out at Mariotti in a profanity laced tirade that questioned his sexual preference.
By all accounts, could Mariotti have improved his relationships with his co-workers and could he have made more appearances in the teams' locker rooms? Sure. But did he do his job and keep a critical eye on the Chicago sports landscape and keep readers craving to open the back page? Without a doubt.
All that being said, these two contrarians played the villain role in Chicago perfectly and never threw rose pedals at the feet of the athletes.
So what does Chicago look like without them? A much more optimistic and cheerful place, for sure, but a far less entertaining one at that.
Published in the PUC Chronicle on Sept. 1, 2008
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