He was doing his job and I was doing mine. Everything I read, everything I consumed involves sports in one way or another. So I tried to approach going to Franklin Field to cover an Eagles game the same way I walked in the media courthouse to cover a trial. May 28, 2022 Ray Didinger's best of list (as he retires from local sports media) By Joseph Santoliquito PhillyVoice Contributor Eagles NFL Ray Didinger can 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 ). At such a huge moment for the Philadelphia sports world, it's a bit of a comfort knowing Didinger will be there to help make sense of all things Eagles through this postseason and afterward. 
That is the single greatest moment in Philadelphia sports history, no doubt in my mind about that. WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyones stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Didinger has long been known for his measured, well-reasoned takes. Something along those lines would be really cool, and easily justified. He learned the rules and the different positions. 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. And he always makes time for the readers, listeners and viewers who have fueled his career. Im not a click-bait guy. I think he used it for a week and then bequeathed it to his wife.. There was a tremendous malaise in the city. But I had that same argument in press boxes around the NFL for 30 years whenever people would start bad-mouthing the Philly fans, which they did all the time. Two of them are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He recalls that experience on the 40th anniversary of the Sheil Kapadia is an NFL senior writer for The Athletic. Ross Tucker could work here as well. For a donation of $30 to the museum, you can be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. Maybe not in the locker room. Macnow has labeled Didingers alter ego Roy. The beauty of Roy is that he rarely appears, but when he does, everyone takes notice. (Courtesy of Michael Barkann), Glen Macnow, left, and Ray Didinger during a WIP broadcast. He wrote his memoir, Finished Business: My Fifty Years of Headlines, Heroes, and Heartaches Hardcover in 2021. Didinger's involvement will be relatively limited, as he still wants to be mostly retired. He closed stadiums because it took him a really, really long time. They were regular guys. If theres a miscue by the Eagles, Its a disgrace, Mike. Its a disgrace, Ray.. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? He scripts his final calls. When they first started working together, Macnow quickly found out that Didinger liked to be prepared. As adults, because of their conflicting schedules, always on the road or working Eagles games at Lincoln Financial Field, the pair never actually sat down next to each other and watched an Eagles game together. He called it one of the highlights of his life and told anyone who would listen about the whole experience for weeks after. 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. He even wrote a play called Tommy and Me. Its the story of Tommy McDonald, the great Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, whom Didinger met when he was a 10-year-old fan and McDonald was an Eagles rookie. This is totally his decision. For the last 25 years, fans could switch over to Comcast SportsNet/NBC Sports Philadelphia to hear what Didinger had to say right after games. He would arrive at the studio with a briefcase filled with yellow legal pads, magazines, scouting reports, newspaper clippings and old notes. Please give today. 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. Deposit bonus requires 25x play-thru. Not too many defensive backs could match up to Harold Carmichael's height, but the 6-4 Joe Lavender, nicknamed Big Bird, made the transition from the hardwood to the gridiron. Id also keep the Tell Us Your Story segment, since its unique and works on the weekends. Jay Bilas Is Continually Compelled By College Basketball, Mets to Pay Tribute to Original Radio Broadcaster Bob Murphy. Studio Phone: (215) 592-9494. He said at his age he needs to go enjoy these next years of his life. Who replaces Ray Didinger? The Pro Bowl quarterback was signed to be a backup. Even though I was there as a reporter and trying to maintain my reporters objectivity. Ill always remember him pulling me aside walking off the practice field and remember him saying, Youre undermining my program. I told him I didnt know what he meant exactly. Macnow recalled one time when their show was scheduled to take place at Delaware Park but got moved back to Philadelphia the morning of. This is bullshit! Carton then asked why if the Packers and Jets are only negotiating with each other it has taken so long to get a deal done. Ray Didinger was one of the few reporters who saw the original Miracle of the Meadowlands unfold live. Guy has been itching to drop his sports takes for a long time now. I dont play tennis. Jim Nantz has concluded his tenure announcing the NCAA Tournament with CBS Sports and departed the assignment with much fanfare. The truth was: not enough. So, look, every night in the dormitory, I watch film. Ray has spent more than 50 years writing and talking about professional football. Fans who already loved him loved him even more after that happened.. pic.twitter.com/ekNfPyb8cf. Eagles fans like to share their opinions and memories, and Didinger is Philadelphia sports royalty. Saturday, WIP is hosting a party for Didinger during the broadcast, and the expectation is that itll be an upbeat, festive atmosphere. It happened for everybody to see. 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. One of my favorite things to say when things go wrong for the Eagles, Ill say, Ray, thats a disgrace, Ray. And thats probably the nicest compliment that people give me about him. Who Replaces Ray Didinger on 94 WIP and NBC Sports Philadelphia? Didinger is a local guy from Folsom, Delaware County, who grew up loving football. Tell us about your family. 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. 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. In 1999, Pederson delivered the franchise's first-ever win in Chicago. He covered the National Football League for The Philadelphia Bulletin and The Philadelphia Daily News for more than 25 years. He was writing and talking about Xs and Os long before it was popular. Patrons are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours before showtime before entering the theater. He said, But I dont know anything about this. The one co-worker said, Heres what you do. You saw the correspondence I got, Carton said. Were really at a point in our lives where were really good friends. Ray Didinger was one of the few reporters who saw the original Miracle of the Meadowlands unfold live. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. He was coaching a lousy team and I was the guy assigned to write about it. It means more to mean than words can ever express." Audacy Pennsylvania, LLC |SportsRadio94WIP, 2400 Market Street | 4th Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19103, Office Phone: (215) 238-2400Studio Phone: (215) 592-9494. It means more to mean than words can ever express." He will join Michael Barkann, Reuben Frank and former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, who came to the show after Didinger retired and Seth Joyner left the network. But he returned in 1978. In the course of 53 years, Didingers work has been showcased across multiple platforms: newspapers, books, radio, and television. The fact is, Im proof that you can be both. If you just checked it out on the internet, and this is an Old Man Yells at Cloud stuff, the only was no other choice to stay up and see it live, and that was it. Ray Didinger Eagles Press Box or something that sounds cool. Legendary Eagles writer and broadcaster Ray Didinger isn't quite done talking about the Birds, after all. He received a B.S. After Didinger told the story, I looked down at my watch and realized I had kept him longer than Id intended. And at the urging of Barkann, the embrace was captured on live TV. I think Jim Nantz is a cornball, but in an endearing sort of way.. Glen & Jody: He wrote his memoir, Finished Business: My Fifty Years of Headlines, Heroes, and He Didinger was named Pennsylvania Sportswriter of the Year five times. Ray Didinger watches a rehearsal for "Tommy and Me." It was everybodys first timeand count me in, too. It didnt mean I was rooting against him. Its obvious. Im an Xs and Os guy. And Im not wrong. I dont play a musical instrument. Once he got it going, I was writing the stories he enjoyed reading and our relationship took a 180. Angelo would have you believe she was coming on to me. Theres built-in chemistry and familiarity, institutional knowledge and the old school, straightforward sports talk vibe. She came up to Didinger and started to ask him about boxing and Durans life story. Boston media personality Mike Felger made a crack about Eagles fans, and Didinger went off. To sit an actually watch an Eagles game with my father. Ray Didinger shares his memories of covering Carmichael's illustrious career. Jordan also contributes occasional coverage of the Washington Capitals for the blog NoVa Caps. Id never seen him that nervous or starstruck before. But as the years passed, he noticed that on Monday mornings, his co-workers would always be talking about the game. 166. He was able to find the right words to express the point. And Im so clueless. It was remarkable. I dont know what hes doing. Ray Didinger has hosted a weekend show on 94 WIP alongside Glen Macnow, in addition to being an Eagles analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia. Sheil also covered the Seattle Seahawks for ESPN. He said, Just write what you want! and stalked away, Didinger said, laughing. Trick question, you cant, but sources tell Crossing Broad that management is considering two separate co-hosts to fill the gap created by Rays recent retirement.. It was real. Yet it took a few weeks.. Cartons claim that the 49ers were potentially making a run at the Green Bay quarterback created an NFL media firestorm. It was when his car broke down on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on his way up to Eagles training camp at Lehigh one summer. Let me take you back to last October. So he gets stopped often. Why would anyone use me? rebuffed Carton. Through October 17, 2021, at Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water Street, Wilmington. It is weird to say that Im 48 years old and I never sat and watched an Eagles game with my father. And we talked about nothing.. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Writer's Honor Roll. It was really lovely., Eagles fans, and the fans of every other Philadelphia sports team are known for their passion. Ray Didinger writes about the tumultuous pairing. David, 48, has been a longtime cameraman for NFL Films and NBC Sports Philadelphia. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. I think its because he could express a negative opinion without offending anyone, WIPs Angelo Cataldi said. WebPhiladelphia Eagles: Ray Didinger Joins the show! [4] Ray and his wife are active with HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue (HeavenSent) a New Jersey non-profit corporation, dedicated to the rescue and placement for adoption of Bulldogs. Didinger had something to say. His nickname was Nauga,[citation needed] after the animated character used in commercials for Naugahyde. During the height of the pandemic when there were no sports events to cover, Didinger and his radio co-host on WIP, Glen Macnow, imagined a long-form interview program they called Tell Me Your Story. The show allowed the hosts to take their time getting to speak with and understand the lives of many sports legends they had covered in their decades-long careers. Its kind of nuts to think about. Trust me. Didinger paired his TV work with radio. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Best of Three Observations from Sixers 116, Heat 108, STOP THE STEAL: NBA Voters Give MVP to a Player Who Was Subbed Out, legendary local media personality Ray Didinger announced his retirement, call upon Jody McDonald for a Mac and Mac reunion, keep the old school vibe with a former Inquirer writer or part time WIP guy. Didingers first year on the Eagles beat was 1970. Its been overwhelming, said Didinger, who has been staying up until 3 a.m. many nights responding to emails. Ray was mostly a football guy but knew enough about the other sports as well to speak with credibility. I got a job. He can be reached by email at bondurantmedia@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant. I never saw anyone who gave as much night, after night, after night as he did. 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 The 1991 win over the Houston Oilers serves as the backdrop for the first season of Return Game, presented by NovaCare Rehabilitation, a new podcast from Eagles Entertainment. Audacy. He spoke of his excitement to spend more time with his wife, kids and grandkids and not live such a fast-paced lifestyle covering professional football. Try a week on us. And just like that, one of the greatest sports scribes Philadelphia has ever known one of the few to cover the Flyers, 76ers, Phillies, and the Eagles national championships moved to retirement, away from the press box with an eye on becoming a regular spectator. Bilas is Continually Compelled by College Basketball, Mets to Pay Tribute to original Radio Broadcaster Bob Murphy Eagles Box. 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