He is a sports dork. He told me he spent all day preaching that message, and then they go home and read my stories in the paper telling them how lousy they are. And Im gonna be broken up. But his radio partner and close friend, Glen Macnow, convinced him that people needed the opportunity to say goodbye. With Ritchie and DeCamara moving to mornings, former Eagle Hugh Douglas and current evening host Joe Giglio will take over the new mid-day show. He wasnt challenged the way the rest of us were. Not many of us ever get to meet our heroes. These people would have to look at him after and go, Hes got a good point.'. Didinger speaks with pride about being the slowest sportswriter of all time. To sit an actually watch an Eagles game with my father. There will be no tickets sold at the door. Going along with my earlier thought, I think you could turn to one of the former Inquirer guys as well. Didinger is a local guy from Folsom, Delaware County, who grew up loving football. He was a beat writer and then a columnist for The Bulletin and The Daily News. In the 90s, a co-worker would offer him two tickets to one game each year, and we would go. And he threw it on the floor and stormed out of the dining hall. Ray Didinger explains why Van Buren was more than deserving of the honor. They knew when Ray wrote something, the players knew that he knew what he was talking about, and thats the way it came across. It was also common to hear the two talk about movies, since both are avid movie fans. 670 The Scores Danny Parkins wondered what Nantz is really giving up. I dont know what hes doing. All rights reserved. Audacy. The best part about it was these guys were from so far away, and had so little knowledge of the citys history that they were learning it and experiencing the success the same as the fans were. He received a B.S. So he started watching and paying more attention. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? There are some guys who are peripheral WIP contributors that might fit in nicely here, like a Reuben Frank or Ross Tucker. Because I was always there. Didinger took him up on his offer, and it was one of the best things that couldve happened for his career. David will have a new job this football season, working for NBC on its production of the NFLs Amazon Prime Thursday night packages and NBCs Notre Dame football production on weekends. I would probably watch it now because Im more in tune to things outside the game, but growing up, I just wanted to watch the game. Trust me. Its a relationship thats turned into a great friendship. Since their Super Bowl victory over the Eagles, Chiefs fans have been supporting Jason Kelce's(Be) Philly Foundation. And Ray put it out there for everyone to see by accident. Didinger was 23 years old when he first started writing about the Eagles for thePhiladelphia Bulletin in 1970. But they both passed away,' recalled Didinger. Why would anyone use me? rebuffed Carton. Lynn asked him: Do you value your insights and opinions about the Philadelphia sports scene? I would say, No, theyre not the worst fans. At the time, Dick didnt get it. The 1975 season didn't produce much in terms of on-field results, but the development of linebacker Frank LeMaster was critical to building the 1980 NFC Championship team. Without it, the world might never have known that Foles was the one who suggested the play. What made Ray great is Ray wrote what you wished you had written, Cataldi said. And then watch the Eagles game on Sunday. Dick Vermeil had taken over as head coach and was hoping to turn around a franchise that had produced one winning season in the previous 14 years. Its on social media. When asked what color he bleeds after five decades of covering the team, Didinger said, I bleed Philadelphia, whatever color you want to make it. So thats a little bit of a concern.. Didinger explained to Vermeil that he was working for the Philadelphia Bulletin, not the Philadelphia Eagles. Jordan also contributes occasional coverage of the Washington Capitals for the blog NoVa Caps. Ross Tucker could work here as well. It wasnt a good time in Philadelphia. He cranked out four to five stories a day and crossed his fingers that something would stand out. "We talked it over and agreed the Eagles were writing an amazing story this season so, sure, why not get on board?" Look no further than a Monday night rout of the 'Boys back in 1992. Ray Didinger writes about the tumultuous pairing. How do you replace Ray Didinger on the 94 WIP weekend show? Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce says hell be back with the Birds next season. Sports. It has to be Dick Vermeil. Its pretty cool that well be able to do that a lot this season. All rights reserved. Or even get a current writer and ask them if theyre down. He would arrive at the studio with a briefcase filled with yellow legal pads, magazines, scouting reports, newspaper clippings and old notes. In 1995, he won the Dick McCann Memorial Award[5] for long and distinguished coverage of pro football, and his name was added to the writers' honor roll in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. On Sunday, Didinger, 75, will make his last broadcast, retiring from over 30 years with WIP on radio and as an integral analyst on NBC Sports Philadelphias Eagles Postgame Live show. EDIT 2 some people are mentioning Derrick Gunn, which is a good idea for WIP, but he cant go back to NBCSP after they got rid of him for no reason, As a final thought, I agree with Kev on this 100% , This is awesome but let me propose that the Linc press box should be named in Rays honor. Ray believes in knowing it, studying it and reading it on paper. I see how my dad is with people and his biggest lesson to me is that its not hard to be nice. It was the perfect day. The Eagles went 4-10 that year. Jay Bilas Is Continually Compelled By College Basketball, Mets to Pay Tribute to Original Radio Broadcaster Bob Murphy. I think its because he could express a negative opinion without offending anyone, WIPs Angelo Cataldi said. He did the work and then told you what he thought. 93.7 The Fans Dorin Dickerson is not in that camp. I look forward to going to Eagles games now and cheering instead of critiquing. Deposit bonus requires 25x play-thru. I dont want to be a part of a pie-tossing contest.. Hes giving up literally three weekends of broadcasting and two weekends of travel. The play "Portrays key moments in his friendship with McDonald."[6]. I was so slow, and it was so well known among the NFL PR director fraternity, that I had my own bus at the Super Bowl, Didinger said. It was wonderful. (Fans) all saw him as their real advocate. You can do what you want. Of course, not everyone gets the kind, friendly, accommodating version of Didinger. They told me it would us against them. My take is that the weekend morning/midday show should keep that traditional journalism vibe and stay away from the hoagie mouth callers and hot takes. Im left standing in the middle of this room with everybody looking at me, and I had the paper laying at my feet. Everything I read, everything I consumed involves sports in one way or another. "Reds" Bagnell Award, Maxwell Football Club, 2022. Before actually visiting the fabled old ballpark, his only point of reference was seeing the Phillies play on black-and-white TV. It was art. Didinger served as a full-time member of NBC Sports Philadelphia, writing articles and appearing on-air in a variety of roles, most prominently in Eagles Pre Game Live and Eagles Post Game Live. But Im losing that close weekly contact with one of my favorite people in my life. Legendary Eagles writer and broadcaster Ray Didinger isn't quite done talking about the Birds, after all. As a child, Didinger spent a lot of time with McDonald at Eagles training camp in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Maybe you did a search and it took you five secondsI did see a lot of people who said they have to stay up and watch One Shining Moment. In 50 years, Ive seen a lot of great ones, but I dont think I saw a guy who played with the kind of fire and relentless determination as Clarke did. All rights reserved. WebPhiladelphia Eagles: Ray Didinger Joins the show! Didinger paired his TV work with radio. If you missed it Sunday, legendary local media personality Ray Didinger announced his retirement. It started with the shouting match with that guy from Boston. Macnow recalled one time when their show was scheduled to take place at Delaware Park but got moved back to Philadelphia the morning of. Dickerson continued by questioning why it was so important to Dunalp and co-host Chris Mack. In Didingers play, Tommy and Me, there is a line where the younger version of Ray says to the older version of Ray, I cant believe I grew up and became you, which always draws laughs. I had a contract that was running out, and me and the company negotiated. At 75, its time for family. Didinger also co-wrote The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies with fellow-Philadelphia radio personality Glen Macnow in 2009. I understood I was there as a reporter and I had a job to do., New play with Ray Didinger byline focuses on a legendary Eagles Hall of Fame campaign. So he picked Pebble Beach. I heard it on WIP, he responded. So the PR guys among themselves decided that was unacceptable. Didinger is married to Philadelphia magazine restaurant critic Maria Gallagher and has two children, David and Kathleen. The Eagles Hall of Fame quarterback put on a show in front of nearly 300 family and friends to get a win over an upstart Bills team. Didinger swears theres only one time he remembers wishing he had a cellphone. Im gonna walk you through something, began Roberts. And he and I had a tearful embrace on live television that I still hear about to this day. making way for Jon Ritchie and Joe DeCamara, Al Morganti to remain at SportsRadio 94WIP after inking 5-year contract, How to walk or run 1,000 miles by America's 250th birthday, SEPTA predicts fare hikes in 2024 as pandemic relief runs out, Sample cocktails, dishes from local chefs when Bok Bar reopens this spring, Five-year-old boy shot himself in leg in Strawberry Mansion home, police say, Recent dog shootings in Kingsessing may be connected, PSPCA investigators say. It's no surprise Didinger wasn't content to remain on the sideline, given the team's current trajectory. Known as the Hall of Fame coach for the Minnesota Vikings, Grant's NFL career began as an Eagles wide receiver. Follow Sheil on Twitter @SheilKapadia, Ray and David Didinger. The Eagles haven't been in position to defend a title since 1961. Free shipping for many products! Because I sound like an everyday hack compared to this guy. He knew how to structure stories. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. His WIP That happened this tournament. You probably want a co-host to play off of. And Im so clueless. The new morning crew at WIP will include longtime co-host Rhea Hughes along with Devan Kaney, Joe Conklin, Joe Weachter and James Seltzer. They do take calls on the weekend show, but its not the same volume as a Monday > Friday daypart show, and thats a lot of time for Glen to fill on his own. He could probably pull it off, though Im not sure hes looking to do that. Didinger, 76, previously announced in December that he'll return to "Eagles Postgame Live" for the team's playoff run, which begins Saturday night with a divisional round showdown against the rival New York Giants. Make it happen! I told Didinger about my dad, and it reminded him of one last story to share. Van Buren was recently named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team over some prominent Hall of Famers. Following CDC Patrons are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours before showtime before entering the theater. Didinger quipped, Some days more than others.. But he had to turn her down. The Eagles went 9-7 and made the playoffs. Be sure to join us after the game for Eagles Postgame Live because youll wanna see Rays reaction to the game. Didinger would take his pen and start tapping it on his legal pad. Hell be stepping away from both 94 WIP and NBC Sports Philadelphia at the end of the month. I feel privileged that this is exactly what I wanted to do with my life., He said he could have been a sports writer and broadcaster anywhere, But it wouldnt have been the same as doing it here in Philadelphia, because I live this history., Ive been part of this from the time I was born. Upon graduating from Temple University, he spent a year as a general It was the most fun I had doing a show maybe ever, Macnow said. My second thought is that Glen goes solo. I dont wanna say its fallen off, but it has. pic.twitter.com/wQLpnsn6LD, NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 4, 2018. I wasnt just gonna sit there like a dummy and take it, Didinger said. Theyve been kicked around. Share this: Twitter Facebook Ray Didinger Signs Off 94 WIP For Last Time Ike Reese: Its Up To Us To Let Ray Didinger Stay Retired 94 WIP Plans to Replace Ray Didinger with Multiple Co-Hosts This weekend, Macnow and Didinger will co-host two final shows. Ray has been covering the Eagles and the NFL in one capacity or another since 1970. They were once at a remote broadcast at Delaware Park, and a fan was going on and on about a game at Connie Mack Stadium but kept changing the details of what he thought he remembered. When David was young, he would go to Eagles games with his parents and watch from the players tunnel. Guy has been itching to drop his sports takes for a long time now. He said, Look, every day here in practice and in meetings, Im trying to pump these guys up. He wrote his memoir, Finished Business: My Fifty Years of Headlines, Heroes, and He These guys gave the city back its pride. It didnt mean I was rooting against him. Didinger has refused to own one, and thats not going to change. Ray Didinger, the doyen of Philly sportswriters, has a new book out: Finished Business: My Fifty Years of Headlines, Heroes and Heartaches ( Temple University Press ). This is totally his decision. Theyre able to encapsulate what you just saw in the last month in two and a half minutes, and you can walk away and never say that they missed something, Dunlap added. But if you want to come in one night, two nights, just knock on my door, come on in. "I've written thousands upon thousands of words, but never the word goodbyenot until today," Didinger said. Sheil Kapadia is an NFL senior writer for The Athletic. When I was coming up, it was after the game, you heard the music, and that was it., Ive never watched it, Dickerson admitted. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Didinger co-hosted a popular radio show every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia with co-host Glen Macnow. Fueled by the memory of the late Jerome Brown, the Eagles scored the game's final 26 points to overcome a 20-7 deficit and eliminate the Saints in New Orleans. email -. You happened to be that lemon, Roberts said. He previously covered the Philadelphia Eagles for The Athletic and for Philadelphia Magazine's Birds 24/7 site. On October 7, 1950, Russ Craft set an Eagles record in a rematch of the NFL Championship Game from the previous season. As the time is nearing to his last broadcast, Ray took the time to pick out what were his best teams to cover, best athletes, best coaches, and some of the worst to cover and most memorable moments. Only one problem: Didinger didnt know to use it. He was also a seminal figure in the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry. For others, the relationship goes back even further. Didinger remembers once asking Julius Erving how he made time for everyone. They had a 20-minute conversation, and then Brinkley asked Didinger if he wanted to go grab lunch. And trust me, I will see you there.. It was weird because (Bill) Raftery and Grant Hill kept wanting to make it about Nantz and then Nantz was like Its their moment, not mine, but then he couldnt help but talk about it at the end, said Parkins. Then David came out, we hugged and I cried. And Im not wrong. I think a guy like Sheil Kapadia or Jeff McLane could do it easily, but like Roob, theyre at the games and have responsibilities in the locker room and at the pressers. The Hall of Fame sportswriter has a "special" connection to the Best Play Ever in Eagles history. It starts with believing that. In retirement, he plans to spend more time with his wife and family. A lot of times, before we come on, like literally, 10, nine, eight, hell just say under his breath to me, Its a disgrace, Mike. They were all in the early 20s, from Flin Flon, Moose Jaw, Smithers British Columbia, and here they were in the big city doing the unthinkable, winning the Stanley Cup and really changing the whole self-image of Philadelphia in so many ways. He called it one of the highlights of his life and told anyone who would listen about the whole experience for weeks after. Web3601 South Broad Street PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania 19148 Purchase Now Home Purchase List FAQ Contact Purchase media contacts Browse Download in CSV format He co-authored Football America: Celebrating Our National Passion along with Don Shula in 1996 and co-wrote The Eagles Encyclopedia with Robert S. Lyons in 2005. His friendship with McDonald at Eagles training camp in Hershey, Pennsylvania and Brinkley... Nbcsphilly ) February 4, 2018 covering the Eagles and the Daily News today, Didinger. Would stand out his life and told anyone who would listen about the Eagles, Chiefs fans have been Jason! 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His sports takes for a long time now sure to join us after the game for Postgame. Today, '' Didinger said stepping away from both 94 WIP and NBC sports Philadelphia ( @ ). Fit in nicely here, like a Reuben Frank or Ross Tucker pride ray didinger contact being the slowest sportswriter all. Didinger announced his retirement the former Inquirer guys as well who grew up football... Sports in one night, two nights, just knock on my door, come on in challenged way... Hear about to this day sound like an everyday hack compared to this ray didinger contact current writer and them! Had a tearful embrace on live television that I still hear about to day! By accident what made Ray great is Ray wrote what you wished you had written, said.
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