The Commentators:
Host: Stan “The Fan†Charles
Co-host: Bruce Posner
I’ve been listening to PressBox live for months now and decided it was time to review this show that has now become a staple on the Baltimore weekend sports scene.
I like the idea of listening to a locally focused radio show while I watch highlights on ESPNews or The Golf Channel when I am up early on a Saturday morning.
The time of year always plays a large factor in the content of a local sports radio show. With this in mind I tuned into PressBox last week thinking I would hear a lot of Ravens and Orioles talk.
The opening segment centered on national sports scandals as the topics of Falcons QB Michael Vick and NBA referee Tim Donaghy were discussed. After a quick update on the injury to Orioles closer Chris Ray, Charles and Posner debated the decision to use Danys Baez in the closer role again. There was good back and forth banter here between the host and co-host — good radio. Posner is not just a “yes†man for Charles.
The Orioles talk continued and closed out the first segment as Charles applauded the signing of Matt Wieters.
After returning from break, news of Maryland basketball signing Sean Mosley was reported by Posner. I don’t have my radar on for Terps hoops at this time of year so it was a nice news tidbit and not too much time was spent on the subject.
Once Posner was finished on the topic of Sean Mosley, Charles began setting up the rest of show alerting listeners that Bob Leffler would be in studio later to discuss the current state of the Navy-Maryland football game. Charles is passionate about this topic and you get the sense he wants to discuss it every week.
The hosts began a lively debate about why Maryland did not play Navy in a bowl game last year and what advantages making this game an annual event would have to the state and the local college football landscape. Again, this was entertaining radio as both men had differing views on most facets of this topic.
One thing I felt was missing at this point was some interaction with callers. I was a little disappointed Charles did not ask Navy and Maryland graduates to call the show and join the discussion.
If we are looking at this show on a bell curve we hit its low point when Coach Buzz does his local high-school football update.
I just don’t’ find it meaningful to know Boys’ Latin and Gilman have started football tryouts. And I really think it’s out of place to give updates on any recreation leagues for any sport on a show called PressBox Live. If this show was about high school and youth sports I think it would fit, but this program focuses on college and professional sports in Maryland so the Coach Buzz talk is a bust in my book.
When guest Bob Leffler joined the Navy-Maryland football debate the show got back on the upswing and really took off. Leffler’s views from the marketing side added some real depth to the topic and when it was all over I felt like I had learned a lot about why, when and how Navy and Maryland might play again.
The last segment of the show included Mike Gathagan of the Maryland Jockey Club and Kevin Healy of the Baltimore Blast. To be honest I had no interest in either guest at this time of year. With the Ravens playing the NY Giants the next night I felt the remaining time would have been better spent on professional football compared to horse racing or soccer.
GRADE: B-
Final training camp coverage standings:
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Profootball24X7.com
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WNST 1570 AM radio
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Comcast-TV
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4. ESPN 1300 AM radio
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T5. WBAL 1090 AM radio
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T5. Baltimoresun.com
