95.7 FM “The Game” hires new evening host

Bay Area Sports Guy November 28, 2012

Some of you have probably already heard about this, but 95.7 FM “The Game” announced that Guy Haberman will be taking over their evening show from 7-10 pm. Here’s the release:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 95.7 The GAME (KGMZ-FM), The Bay Area’s New Sound for Sports, today named Northern California native Guy Haberman (@GuyHaberman) as host for weekday evenings, 7:00-10:00pm, effective December 3, 2012.

During baseball season, Haberman will also host weekday Oakland Athletics Pre-Game Dugout Show & Post-Game A’s Talk shows on 95.7 The GAME.

“Guy has strong passion for our Bay Area teams, understands what local fans want, and delivers an entertaining, interactive sports show,” said Jason Barrett, Program Director of 95.7 The GAME. “Having been in the broadcast booth calling games, he’s a great fit to lead in into our Athletics play-by-play programming and be an outlet for fans following the game.”

“I’m really excited to interact with passionate Bay Area sports fans and coming off the A’s playoff run last season, I can’t wait for April and the chance to be on the air after another ‘Walk Off’ win!” said Haberman.

Haberman joins 95.7 The GAME from ESPN 940 (KFIG-AM) in Fresno, where he hosted Afternoon Drive.

In addition to his radio show, Haberman’s extensive play-by-play work includes calling games for the Fresno Grizzlies (San Francisco Giants AAA), College Basketball for the WAC Sports Network, and Fresno State Women’s Basketball & Softball. Haberman also served as a sideline reporter for Fresno State Football on the Bulldog Sports Network.

95.7 The GAME recently announced its new Afternoon Drive show with Ric Bucher and Chris Townsend, weekdays 3:00 – 7:00pm.

With its commitment to live and local programming, 95.7 The GAME, in just 16 months, has put together the best lineup in Bay Area radio:

·         6:00 am-10:00 am      The Rise Guys: Whitey Gleason, Mark Kreidler, and Dan Dibley

·         10:00 am-12:00 pm    The Pulse with Matt Steinmetz

·         12:00-3:00 pm             The Wheelhouse with John Lund & Greg Papa

·         3:00 pm-7:00 pm        Ric Bucher & Chris Townsend

·         7:00 – 10:00pm           Guy Haberman

Seeing as I’ve never heard of Haberman, let alone listened to him on the air, it’s hard to have much of an opinion on this hire. Anyone from Fresno know much about him?

About the Author

Otherwise known as Steve Berman (no, not the guy from the Eminem skits), BASG started Bay Area Sports Guy in January of 2008 with the help of his then-girlfriend (now wife). Since then he's covered college football for CSN Bay Area, gained media access to the Giants, Warriors and 49ers, and built Bay Area Sports Guy into the No. 1 independent Bay Area sports blog. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

55 comments

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Gene Frenkle

CBS Sports Radion...3:00-6:00AM: Tiki Barber, Brandon Tierney and Dana Jacobson Could this be the most unlikeable sports radio team in history?

Gene Frenkle

Haberman is ok, pretty vanilla though. I like Tittle, he knows the local sports landscape really well and was surprised when he didn't get the night gig--was it a little ominous when Barrett the PD said Tittle was part of the cast "at this time" in his Twitter Q & A? I liked Urbs too and thought him and Lund were good together--anyone catch that on his Twitter when he described Barrett as "dictatorial" and an "east coast type"? Pretty damn funny. Good riddance to BT, his constant verbal gymnastics, like his sighs and all that, were brutal. Basically he took himself WAY too seriously. The Guru sucks. I turned him off when he predicted the Raiders to go 13-3. I love the Silver and Black, go to games...but come on, dude.

Red Hickey

I USED TO BE a 49ers fan... for about 50 years. But this latest example of the York family greed just fries my eggs. Ya really think that this change had anything to do with Kap's hot hand? He lost to the Rams and kept the job! Alex Smith was having a great year, too good I guess... with his 1 million bonus, and contract renewal of 7 million coming up at the end of the season... Guess they'll get Kap for a lot less.

Frankie Vasquez

Stan I thought Guru was your guy ?? What a joke how fast you jump ship , leave Barrett alone from what I see and hear Guru is African American and. I like Zack and him together .. Far from boring and will rip the Raiders etc !!! Love it

Stan

What the hell are you talking about Frank? Even the Guru will tell you I never said a bad word about him.

Otis Byrd III

I just wanted to ask, does Guy Haberman sound kind of like Tim Montemayor to any of you guys? Yes, there is a difference between their voices, but at times, Haberman sounds somewhat similar to Montemayor.

Otis Byrd III

From what I've heard of this show so far, it's ok. I know, very small sample size, but we'll see how he does long-term should he stay in the 7-10 PM timeslot. It's weird how no one on 95.7 has mentioned him yet, at least not that I know of. Do they all know who he is?

Otis Byrd III

haha. Yeah, USF basketball might not be huge in the ratings for them, even though they did have a nice over St. John's (aka "The Johnnies") tonight!

Southbay

over a sports talk show/

Southbay

95.7 airs USF baskebtall i am sure that one is a ratings winner

Bret22

Papa is the MAN!

Otis Byrd III

Yeah, I'm not as big on The Guru anymore. He was cool at first, but like you guys said, the guy just yells too much and he's not really all that good.

makes sense. sounds like he spent a good amount of time covering the minor league fresno grizzlies. So, his experience covering minor league baseball could be useful when he discusses the oakland A's

Otis Byrd III

Speaking of 95.7, how do you guys feel about Zack Arriah (sp?)? I guess he will be the fill-in guy for updates and he fills-in on some shows. He was also part of the Lucky Break contest. Him and the Guru filled in on The Drive last Friday. They were ok, but eh. He sounds just like Drew Hoffar, but he sounds like he's hyper. LOL.

I actually like Zack on the 30/30 updates. I've never heard him do any part of a show yet, but I would tend to think that whatever he would do would be miles above Guru.

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

The Guru's schtick consists of yelling a lot, a lot of "come on!!!" type comments and calling for people to be fired. He's helping Lund not be the worst host on the station.

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

He's meh, and the Guru is still trash. Dude screams and yells and rants like an idiot. He's Damon without any charisma and the charm of Bob Fitzgerald in an argument about the Warriors.

Otis Byrd III

LOL

Eric

Ha ha! I may heckle you FFUC, but that's a good one! Well put.

Southbay

The proably did not have to break the bank account for this hire. Now if they could only crank up the wattage so i can hear it clearly here in San Jose.

Dangelo

> >The A’s post game show is going to a Giants guy? That’s going to go over well… > Giants post game went to A's guy (Marty Lurie). It's all very incestuous.

925 g-man

Fuck 95.7 the game, who the hell is this guy. Rick tittle should have got the job. they keep skipping on him. Jason barret you should be hiring locally get someone that cares about the bay teams dip shit. I guarantee no one can beat tittle on any sports topic. He doesn't need to script his show, but the game will learn morons.

95.7 The Game loses Brandon Tierney: Not bad, but

[...] of the order. And who’s doing nights now? Guy Haberman? I don’t know who that is, (apparently he’s brand new) but as soon as he starts on December 3, I’ll listen and blog about him. Who knows? Maybe he [...]

Eric

95.7 the Titanic! A host from Fresno!?! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Abandon shiiiiiiiiiip! You have struck an iceberg that looks a lot like KNBR. Under two years and dying....

Ken

Eric you are so ignrant and classless Lee Hammer and KNBR are probably paying your rent at your mama's house. If you don't understand that a little bit of competition in any industry or market gives much better customer experiences and satisfactions, then you just prove to yourself that you still haven't earned a GED yet.

Howie

I agree with you, Ken. So many knbr fanboys and interns ripping the Game here, makes me feel good supporting them. It s like these idiots don't understand competition makes everyone better. These guys would love nothign better than for the Game to change format so their"leader" can send them a few bones.

WTF are you talking about? KNBR fanboys and interns? KNBR has gotten slammed on here just as much as the Game. Both stations have strengths and both have weaknesses. Try reading some of the other Radio Wars posts, not just the comments from the last 3.

Eric

Actually ken, what I understand is 30 plus years of listening to KNBR, 40 years as a rabid sports fan, and a college education that allows me to know crap when I see it. If the Game was good, I would acknowledge it, but its not. The ratings overwhelmingly bear that out, and most importantly my ears bear that out. there are hosts now on KNBR that I can't stand...and don't listen. I know the radio business very well, and I've seen so called 'competitive stations' pop up and try to challenge industry stalwarts many times, across many genres of radio. It only works if you can a)grab talent for the station, b) have signal power, and c) in a spots market have teams. The Game has one of those...the A's, and few care. the signal power is weak, and the hosts are sub par. It sounds like you are perhaps a professional cheerleader, or fluffer for 95.7. Now is the time to start looking for a new gig.

Stan

Another white guy?..Another who can't cant communicate with half of MLB. And then he will give his opinion of all the blacks in basketball. As Jason Barret ignored anybody of color,he's another Lee Hammer..bigotry in the name of ratings-or is that just an excuse? As far as baseball? Notice not one single announcer thinks it would be a great idea to learn Spanish. No,they might prep and consider that being due diligence homework,but learning Spanish? Not part of the club of sports calling.

Tru

The A's post game show is going to a Giants guy? That's going to go over well...

Bigdshea

Morning show hands down is the best part of this station. Solid and dies not take itself too seriously.

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

Because we all know that morning show's usually take themselves WAY too seriously. I swear to god we need another morning zoo in this market soooooo badly.

TommyJ

Coming up on The Rise Guys in 10 minutes, more fake arguing followed by questions for Kreidler theme droned into your eardrums like an ice pick followed by more fake debating and let's try to get a weird obscene sounding word past "Romo" for the 3rd time this week. Hey Barrett , quit insulting my intelligence and put on morning show instead of a freaking frat party!

Eric

The morning show is the best, and it still sucks like a Hoover. Its like a show of fill in hosts.

The Sports Leader

The Game's lineup looks solid with the exception of the 6:00am-10:am slot. There is a need for improvement there.

Otis Byrd III

I have no idea who this guy is that 95.7 just hired. I wonder how does Townsend feel about this, even though he will be on The Drive now? Townsend I guess got promoted, but he loved doing the A's talk show this past MLB season. He was like 95.7's official A's guy and still is, even though he will be on The Drive. It's interestng this new guy has kind of a Giants background doing work for the Fresno Grizzlies. How come KNBR couldn't hire this guy to do Sportsphone and/or co-host with Ray Woodson on Sportsphone, or maybe be Tom's new co-host, if he worked with the Grizzlies? We'll see how this goes. I guess I can check out this show, even though I'll probably still listen to Sportsphone more. As far as Tittle goes, everyone on Facebook is pissed that he didn't get this job. LOL. Tittle would be proud if he saw that. haha... The reason Tittle doesn't have a show on 95.7 is because he's boring. I'm sorry. I mean can you seriously picture him doing a show every weekday? They should just keep him doing weekends and fill-in work like he is now. Tittle is almost like 95.7's version of Ray Woodson where he's versatile and fill-in when needed. If Tittle has a show, who would be the new fill-in/versatile guy for 95.7? But yeah, I never heard of this guy, but we'll see how this goes.

John Sports

I have to disagree with on Tittle Otis, I think if you gave the guy a solid shot you might like him. He is the opposite Of Damon though. He is by far the most informed Sports Radio Host we have in the area. As far as the new dude, yeah lets give him a shot, he might be good. I'm pretty bummed about Townsend not doing the A's shows anymore though.

I have to agree with you, OBIII. Or should I do my best Tierney impression and just disagree with everything you say even I though I know you're right? :) I agree that Tittle can be boring. For me, it's not what he has to say. I enjoy the fact that the guy can actually talk all local teams including the those of the San Jose variety that are largely ignored. However, his delivery is reminiscent of Steven Wright from time to time. At least Wright was funny. He doesn't need to be an over the top screamer, but a little more Brazil or Tolbert in terms of delivery would help him tremendously.

Jordan

He is the best local radio guy here. He isn't a Homer, picks against the home team if he thinks it's warranted, and is great at presenting all angles and opinions of stories. I am sad to lose him, by far the best we have had here. Especially since I don't get 95.7.

Glad to hear some praise for the guy. I have high hopes for the new blood now. Of course, in comparison to Tierney, anyone is an upgrade. Tierney is to sports radio what electricity is to the Amish.

Ken

"Tierney is to sports radio what electricity is to the Amish." AJ, good analogy, if you meant that sports radio listeners should have appreciated Tierney more like the Amish should have appreaciated electricity and know that it should have helped their modern life.

Ok Ken, we get that you're a huge Tierney fanboy. Why don't you explain why? I've pointed out numerous times why he turns many people off, but let me throw it out there again for you... He started his tenure off here with that shtick bell. It was a painfully obvious ploy to rile listeners. Of course, that's what you do when you don't bring anything new or insightful to the table. I've seen that many times in both radio and print. The person has nothing of note so they lean on a prop or saying something ridiculous to do nothing but rile a response. It's cheap and amateur. Rather than listening to callers and perhaps seeing their point of view or trying to educate them, he cuts off callers after a couple sentences and then slams their comments without allowing them to respond. Tierney constantly talks over his guests and interrupts his co hosts, especially when they are pointing out how and why Tierney is wrong. No one is right 100% of the time and acting as if you are makes you look like a moron. The times I listened to Tierney on the Game, I noticed a constant stutter from Tierney that I found annoying, but I've heard that from other hosts as well when they essentially have nothing to say, but their ego won't allow them to be quiet for 2 seconds. Then, there are the many times where bellboy proclaimed things like “Timmy will dominate tonight” to Eric Davis and Davis tells him he's crazy. That night, Timmy is pulled after 3 2/3. The next day, when Davis brings up that Tierney blew it, Tierney either tries to sweep it under the rug or his response is an endless amount of "yeah, but". If that is what you consider to be great radio, enjoy him over on CBS. However, I would still like some examples of why you think he's so great. Perhaps you can persuade me since, unlike Tierney, I can be open minded and admit when I'm wrong.

Good choice. I live in Fresno. Dude knows his baseball (albeit Giants). I think it's a good hire. Dude is definitely NOT an in your face type like Tierney. I think most Bay Area-ites are gonna be pleasantly surprised.

650Athletics

I got to imagine Rick Tittle didnt want the job because thats the only reasoning I can come up with him not getting the job.

The Sports Leader

Rick Tittle would have been ideal for the 7:00-10:00pm slot. The Game drop the ball on this.

Southbay

But what else is Rick T doing now hosting a show on Sportbyline and the sunday video game show I guess they pay the rent but no doubt not getting rich off them or ?

paperback writer

Here's hoping he's good and it sounds like has been working from the ground up - which is very good. If he's good he can rise to the top there - very quickly.

rj175

I dont understand why they wouldn't keep Rick Tittle at that slot? He was the most logical choice to me...This guy seems to be a big Giants supporter from the pics on his twitter page.

Ruthless Sports Guy

Let's see how long before he slides into The Pulse with Steinmetz and then disappears completely.

Ken

Hey ruthless & classless sports guy: your comment just exposes your ignorance and bias as Lee Hammer's boy. Why wish ill will and someone's unemployment? By all account Guy Haberman earned this gig grinding and working his way up. So why this animosity? Well, must be Hammer getting a piece of your tail sports boy.

Ruthless Sports Guy

JZ and BASG nailed it, Ken. I have no idea how good this guy is. I'm just pointing to all the shuffling going on at the station. It turns me off, and I'm sure I'm not the only listener that feels that way.

ReggieWrite

Ken, looks like you see bias where no one else can. Can you point to any specific content in the post that demonstrates the "bias" and "animosity" that you allege.

Ken - It looks as if you lack of understanding was exposed. I didn't take RSG's post as a slam on Haberman at all. Rather, I understood it to be reference to all the movement that has happened at the Game the last few months.

BASG

Yeah, RSG is totally on a mission to destroy "The Game." http://www.bayareasportsguy.com/radio-wars-one-mans-reasons-for-converting-to-the-game/ Let's get this straight because a bunch of Entercom fanboys are trying to spread false information -- KNBR doesn't pay us. They don't give us any perks. They HATE us (or at least they hate me for constantly reporting on the inner workings of the station). I listen to both stations and hope "The Game" succeeds because competition is good for everybody. Corporate consolidation of media properties is bad for the newspaper industry, and it's gutting terrestrial radio. Granted, both Cumulus and Entercom are big corporations who are out to make a buck, but I'd rather have both stations providing sports content than just Cumulus any day. That doesn't mean our job is to perform cheerleading routines for 95.7, either. But besides the ratings posts (which come from Arbitron numbers that are readily available to the public), I defy you to find a post where we went out of our way to mention positive things about KNBR or their hosts.

Ken Relax, I don't think RSG was questioning Haberman's acumen. Rather, it's just the perception of 'business as usual' over at The Game regardless of host. The cards have been reshuffeled quite a bit over at The Game: that you cannot deny.