Stephen A. Smith was a high school sports reporter for the New York Daily News in the early 1990s when he first heard the distinctive voices of Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Mike Francesca on the radio.
30 years later, the ESPN commentator quickly spoke of the style of sports debate that began with Francesa and Russo on New York’s WFN.
Francesa and Russo haven’t appeared together on air in public — aside from a brief stint at “FrancesaCon” years ago — since their show “Mike and Mad Dog” ended in 2008. He, and Francesca, took over the afternoon drive-time show, which he ran solo for the next 12 years (interspersed with brief retirements).
That will change Wednesday.
Francesca and Russo join Smith to host Molly Kerim on “First Take” for two full hours (10 am-pm ET).
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“I believe in giving credit to the people who paved the way for me,” Smith told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. “If there’s ever a time when I’m really happy to go back and let them go if it comes down to it, that’s definitely not my problem.”
Why is Mike Francesa on ‘First Take’ with Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo?
The concept of sports talk radio was a novelty at the time of its inception. The way the two hosts go back and forth is what caught Smith’s attention.
“Dougie was a bat from hell,” Smith told USA TODAY Sports of Russo, who joins Smith every Tuesday on “First Take.”
Francesa seems to know everything about everything. If one was important in the New York sports world in the 1990s, the two had to give their blessing. Getting on the wrong side of their opinion was bad news.
“Two legends and pioneers in this business as far as I’m concerned,” Smith said.
Russo and Smith — both impressively — have great on-screen chemistry, and ESPN executives approached Smith with the idea of reuniting “Mad Dog” and “The Sports Pope.”
“I told them it would be an honor,” Smith said. “These guys started a sports debate as far as I’m concerned.”
Smith said “First Time” is a show that doesn’t ignore history. Having two sports historians on his show is a great privilege and opens up topics for discussion. You can talk about athletes and stories about the 80s and 90s and the changes in sports in the decades that followed.
“They have an expert opinion to present and add and add to whatever I’m arguing about,” said Smith, who filmed “General Hospital” in Los Angeles before flying to New York for the big event on Tuesday.
“With my luck, they’ll probably gang up on me, which isn’t the cutest thing in the world for me. And I’m going to wear it all.”
For the first time, in a long time
During Smith’s tenure at ESPN from 2009 to 2011, Francesa is sure to have joined the Miami Heat, surpassing the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh trio. Although he had more to do with Rousseau, Smith never forgot him.
In Smith’s mind, Russo brings what he’s done every day for more than 35 years to “First Take” Tuesday.
“He knows what the hell he’s talking about. He’s incredibly passionate and he’s passionate about it,” said Smith, who, like all debate partners like Michael Irvin, said Monday — “It works for me. It works. For ‘First Take.’ I couldn’t be happier to have him on the show.” ”
Russo told Howard Stern last year that he was paid $10,000 per episode. But it’s not about the money, Smith said.
“It’s the fun we’re having.” “It’s the information that we provide. It’s the fact that you’re going to come and have an absolute blast watching this show.”
Smith bets Francesa will enjoy the show.
“And we’ll see if he has a good time,” Smith said, because he deserves it.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.
