Radio duo broadcast from tournament
The hosts of ESPN’s popular “The Mike and Mike Show’ broadcast their program live from the 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin Woodlands Spa & Resort Friday morning, where they told the crowd that after the treatment they received from the Hardy family they’re ready to change their names. “We’d like to rename ourselves The Hardy Boys. We’re hoping they’ll adopt us,’ smiled Mike Greenberg.
Greenberg, a native of New York, did radio and television in Chicago before coming to ESPN, while Mike Golic, a native of Cleveland, formerly played professional football with Houston, Philadelphia and Miami as well as college ball at Notre Dame before his broadcasting career.
The two came together six years ago when Golic’s former partner left the morning show. Several people tried out for the spot over a three-month period, but everyone knew that Greenberg was it.
“Our chemistry clicked right away,’ Golic explained in an interview after the show. “My wife even knew. She was watching the segment and called.’
“Tell her what your wife said,’ ordered Greenberg, often referred to as “Greenie.’
Golic told: “She said, ‘He’s a little geeky but he’s the guy.”
The stories are all part of what makes Greenberg and Golic work, and the pair showed off their stuff when they came to the 84 Lumber Classic. They broadcasted live on radio Friday from 6 to 10 a.m. from the VIP Pavilion overlooking the 18th hole. While the show is usually carried by ESPN television, it’s policy to broadcast over radio only when doing a remote.
A crowd showed up to watch the pair, who worked from a table in a corner of the pavilion in front of a black cloth that proclaimed ESPN Radio 1250 AM in Pittsburgh, the local affiliate.
The spectators enjoyed a breakfast buffet of pastries and fruit at a table splashed with golf decorations, including a vase filled with blue golf balls, and sculptures that featured a giant white golf balls on tees.
Golic and Greenberg shared sports talk, including baseball, particularly talk of the Chicago White Sox’s dwindling lead in their division, and football with a special guest interview by Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis saying to Golic, “They’re questioning if you’re making fun of Notre Dame, so I’m standing up for you.’
“It’s Greenie. He’s the one trying to jump on the bus,’ said Golic.
“We’ll let him on,’ said Weis. “One bad game and they’ll be jumping off the bus.’
There was also talk of the 84 Lumber Classic with the pair offering good wishes to golfer Dave Toms, who left the tournament Thursday with chest pains.
Listeners quickly realize the two men have different styles.
Jim Graci, program director for ESPN Radio in Pittsburgh, who was at the 84 Lumber Classic, said, “They approach it from two very different but relatable angles. Mike Golic is the athlete. He’s experienced being in a huddle and the locker room. Mike Greenberg is one of the biggest fans of sports. He loves it. He lives it. It makes for a great odd couple and they’re fun to listen to. Neither of them disappoints.’
Dave Zelner of Hiller was among the spectators in the VIP Pavilion and a fan of the show. Originally from Philadelphia, he remembers Golic as a member of the Eagles football team and now listens to “The Mike and Mike Show’ on satellite radio.
“It was a big surprise. I didn’t know they were going to be here, and it’s exciting,’ said Zelner. “What I like is they interact with the crowd during the break and it’s all in fun. They’re very knowledgeable about sports and I like how they are able to be a team but they disagree on a lot of things.’
He continued, “It’s a nice change from other talk shows. It’s more entertaining to have two converse on topics.’
Ever amusing, Golic and Greenberg do like to talk with the crowd while on breaks from the show. They asked for Steeler fans and Notre Dame fans, signed autographed photos and ribbed a group who showed up wearing bright blue knickers, white golf shirts with blue trim, blue-and-white argyle socks and blue-and-white hats. They asked for a representative of the group to come up and explain themselves.
Brian Samuel of New Jersey volunteered, saying they were from Silver Line Windows, headquartered in New Jersey.
“Do you get chicks in that?’ asked Greenberg.
“I’m married,’ Samuel replied.
“Is your wife here?’ Greenberg asked.
“No,’ said Samuel.
“I’m not surprised,’ Greenberg replied.
When the crowd laughed, Greenberg warned, “We’ll make fun of everyone by the time we’re done.’
The two men are most known for ribbing each other, and that’s a practice that goes back to the first time they worked together.
Golic said, “In the first segment, he’s mentioning my fatness.’
“I did,’ confessed Greenberg. I thought I’m going to make a joke and if he’s not playing along, it won’t be fun. I did it. He laughed. The next thing we know we’re rolling along on the Hardys’ plane.’
Joe Hardy sent his jet to take Golic and Greenberg to Nemacolin Woodlands Thursday, picking each up separately and bringing them together to Pittsburgh and then on to Farmington.
“They picked me up in my back yard and there’s Golic on this private jet,’ said Greenberg. “…On one leg, he has a tray of roast beef sandwiches. On the other leg, he has a tray of fruit and cheese.’
Both joked, “I could get used to this.’
The broadcasters discovered even more luxury when they arrived at Nemacolin Woodlands. Greenberg reported to everyone that he had a Jacuzzi tub in his room that “could bathe a family of 20.’
“Or me,’ joked Golic.
Greenberg said he turned the water on for the Jacuzzi when he left to do the show Friday morning: “That was four and a half hours ago. I think it’s full now.’
They talked about the plane. They talked about the food.
Golic said of the Hardys: “They set the bar.’
And Greenberg commented, “You know my parents. They’re wonderful people, but I would gladly trade them in if the Hardy family would adopt me.’