No More Kellerman? Um, WHAT?

I haven't been listening to to The Max Kellerman Show that much since I started writing for this blog, but I had been tuning in since day one. When I first moved down here, I used to keep my car on the streets and move it twice a week for alternate side parking from 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning and at 10:00AM one day in late October of '06, Max popped on the NY Sports Talk Radio scene and had been a fixture ever since.

Then this morning, Cliff sent me this link.

1050 ESPN Radio and on-air host Max Kellerman have mutually agreed to end their relationship. Kellerman's final broadcast for the station was yesterday (March 9), 10AM - 1PM.

Tim McCarthy, the station's President and General Manager said: "Max is a highly articulate and passionate sports talk host and he brought a unique voice to our talent lineup. We wish him nothing but the best in all of his future endeavors."

Kellerman added: "I had some great times at 1050. I appreciate everything Tim McCarthy, Aaron Spielberg, and everyone there have done for me over the years."

Until a full-time replacement is selected, 1050's evening host, Brandon Tierney, will host the weekday 10AM - 1PM slot.

Um, what happened? Was anyone listening yesterday? Did he say something out of line?

Noooooooooo.

When he first came on the air, he used to talk about the episode of the Sopranos where Vito is up in New Hampshire, doing some carpentry and working a regular job for what is probably his first time. You can hear Vito having an internal dialogue, trying to guess what time it is without looking at his watch.

10:30? Gotta be. Hour and a half... lunch. The halfway fuckin' point.

Don't look at your watch. Not yet. Save it. Treat yourself.

Ten 'til eleven. Maybe five of?

Don't look. Think of those sandwices Jim made. When you've eaten that last bite, this fuckin' day is half way gone.

11:30, has to be. Look at the angle of the sun. Maybe even a quarter to 12?

Okay, look. Now.

Then he looks down at his watch, and it's only 9:55.

FUCK ME!!!

Kellerman used to say "The worst part of your day is now the best part of your day." It wasn't far from the truth. The show was originally on from 10AM-12PM, and then got extended from 10-1. Those hours flew by, and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. It probably helped that Max liked all the same teams that I did, especially the Yankees and Giants, but he almost always had a unique and interesting take you weren't likely to hear anywhere else.

This sucks. I wanted to get this post up for now, but in the near future, I'll put up a real deal tribute to the show, if in fact it really is done for.

[Update: 11:49] His Wikipedia page has been updated to say:

Kellerman and ESPN radio ended their relationship on March 9, 2009. His time slot is currently being shared by Colin Cowherd and Brandon Tierney. Kellerman was forced out by new producers and managment who also forced out his mates Gordan Damer, Robin Lundberg, and Louie Gold earlier in the year. ESPN attempted to cut his hours on the radio. Max has the second largest radio following in New York, his loyal fans are waiting for his next show.