WHITT'S END: 9.23.13

      Whether you're at the end of your coffee, your day, your week or even your rope, welcome to Whitt's End

   *Cowboys 31, Rams 7: My Top 10 Whitty Observations over at NBC 5's Blue Star Blog, including a foggy memory of the last time the Cowboys played such a dominant first half of football. Hint: We were Christmas shopping. And a lot younger.

   *EDIT: The more I hear the more this seems like Galloway is pulling the strings on his own departure. To which I say, good for him. I've written a couple times that it'd make sense for Cumulus to just buy out the contract of Randy Galloway and, sure enough, one way or another, the legendary media icon's days are numbered. It's actually Galloway's decision since his non-transferable contract stipulates him only working for ESPN, but regardless, his last day on the radio will be the day The Ticket officially takes over 103.3 FM ESPN. That could be as soon as Friday or as far out as a month from now, as the FCC has initially rejected The Ticket's selling of its 104.1 FM signal. Galloway's contract runs through Dec. 31, but he has zero intention of working for the Cumulus folks he's battled against for three decades. Though the station is upticking in the ratings, the expected cuts at ESPN are now beginning. Out as of last week - but also not official until the switch is approved - are program director Tom Lee, general manager Pete Dits and on-air talent like Kelly Webster and Landry Locker. Filling Galloway's big boots won't be easy, as he's been a print fixture in the Metroplex since 1966. I'm told names being kicked around to take his chair include The Ticket's Norm Hitzges, Channel 8's Dale Hansen and Channel 11's Steve Dennis. Also told that Galloway sidekick Matt Mosley's job is safe, awaiting a new partner. Not that Dennis - or anyone else - can come in and dent The Hardline's dynasty, but he's opinionated, educated and not afraid to ask a tough question nor shy away from offering a unique view. I worked alongside Galloway at the Star-Telegram, competed against him at 105.3 The Fan and played with him at various horse tracks around the country. Personally, I'll miss him.

   *Last year it was Josh Hamilton's bat. This Fall it's Nelson Cruz's. For very different reasons, obviously, they both vanished at the wrong time. And the punchless Rangers are again authoring an epic collapse. On Aug. 23 the Rangers led the A's by 3.5 games. On Sept. 22 the A's clinched the AL West. How does a 12-game swing happen? The Rangers haven't won back-to-back games since Aug. 28, that's how.

   *Between Breaking Bad and Dexter and Bears-Steelers and my late-night appearance on NBC 5's Big Game Sunday, managed to watch a little of The Emmys. Gotta admit, very entertaining. Neil Patrick Harris was a lively host. The Newsroom's Will MacAvoy beat out Walter White. And two women caught my eye: That one with the cavernous cleavage that I can never understand and who's on that show that I never watch. And the one from Homeland who always makes those painful faces and is flatter than Odessa.

   *Monday tastes a little better with this sugar on top: For the first time ever, the Giants and Redskins are both 0-3. Bon appetit.

   *Hot.

   *Not.

Pages:    1       2       3   

---

(continued from page 1)

   *As expected, 'twas a lousy college football weekend. Top 10 teams went 8-0 by an average score of 50-12. Miami (-59.5), Ohio State (-51.5) and Louisville (-41) all covered gaudy spreads by scores 77-7, 76-0 and 72-0. It was so ridiculous in Miami that the Hurricanes and Savannah State agreed to a mercy-rule, 12-minute fourth quarter. Scheduling cupcakes is such a waste of time. Teams don't need scrimmages at this point in the season. Fans get zero drama. And after last weekend's fantastic A&M-Alabama game, college football goes anonymous for a week. Embarrassing that Ohio State fans actually made shirts to taunt Florida A&M.

   *North Texas got $975,000 for traveling to Georgia and was tied 21-21 in the third quarter before losing 42-21. I'd say that trip was worth it.

   *Sunday was just the latest kick-to-the-crotch loss for the Rangers. Thursday in Tampa they hit three homers in an inning. But if not the long ball this team just can't score. Over the weekend in KC they mustered only four runs in three games. And yesterday it ended painfully with Justin Maxwell's walk-off Grand Slam. First Slam to end a scoreless game in extra innings since 1967. The Rangers have a horrible habit of making history.

   *Sleeping with the windows open is one of life's little pleasures. Happens around here, what, maybe 30 nights a year?

   *You know how you know you have a great quarterback? When he throws more interceptions than touchdowns and you realize it hasn't happened in 36 games. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers had another statistical oddity in Cincy yesterday: They scored 30 consecutive points. And lost.

   *Went to DFWRescueMe's Wags 'n Waves event at NRH20 Saturday afternoon. As Sybil was emceeing the dog skills contest, a canine strolled through and left a gigantic dump right in the middle of the proceedings. Not sure if he entering his "skill" or merely offering a biting commentary on the competition.

Pages:    1       2       3   

---

(continued from page 2)

   *Not everyone was bored by college football. Decent boxer and ballsy gambler Floyd Mayweather Jr. wagered $200,000 that A&M would lead SMU by at least 18 points at halftime. Score: A&M 32, Mustangs 6. Another TKO for the champ.

   *Good news for the Rangers. Yeah, they trail the Indians and Rays by 1.5 games for the second Wild Card. But the Astros are in town. Rangers have beaten them eight in a row and are 14-2 vs. Houston this season. Three must-wins over the worst team in baseball and the final four games vs. Anaheim will be meaningful and delicious. For what it's worth, Rays finish with one against Orioles tonight, then six at Yankees and Blue Jays. Indians finish with two against White Sox and four at the Twins.

   *When construction is finished, why don't we call them "builts"?

   *I was prepared to say that Mariano Rivera's farewell tour hadn't gotten completely out of control, but having Metallica play your retirement party is badass. Exit, Sandman.

   *Went to Sherlock's in Addison Friday night and - swear - had the door guy check my ID. I turn 50 in July. I offer that not as some flimsy attempt to claim I'm aging gracefully, but more as a stinging indictment of the guy's pathetic evaluation skills.

   *Today? A little bike ride with Sybil in the afternoon sunshine, followed by a screening of the JFK movie Parkland tonight at the Angelika Film Center in Mockingbird Station. Don't be a stranger.

Pages:    1      2      3   

---