How are you today?

This isn't strictly Mets-related but I wanted to comment on the end of the "Mike and the Mad Dog" radio show.

Like it or not (and I've felt both ways), MATMD was appointment radio for any sports fan in the New York area for 19 years. Whether you hated Mike or Chris or both, or enjoyed their often combative, always interesting style, you listened because you are a sports nut and their show scratched an itch.

When I was a sportswriter I was often on the road in the afternoons, traveling to games, and I listened every day, and always on the drive home from work. Lately, working in an office close to home, the opportunity hasn't been there, and frankly, I didn't feel the need to listen. I'd instinctively turn on the FAN upon starting the car, and from there I'd stay tuned only if I was interested in what they were saying. Many times, I choose the iPod.

So for me, the show did run its course. Francesca in particular has always come across as an arrogant blowhard who certainly knew his stuff and often provided good insight, but his attitude sucked. And it always amazed me how someone like Russo could be paid so much money despite a remarkable inability to pronounce athletes' names, even the ones that weren't terribly difficult.

For a Mets fan, the show was often painful and frustrating, with Mike fawning over the Yankees and Russo digging the Mets (even though he did found the "Crack Committee") while talking way too much about the Giants. The Mets were always second to the Yankees, even on days when the Mets won a big game and the Yankees lost. Terrible.

While they were successful together, I found I enjoyed them better solo, depending on the show. Mike's NFL Now program on Sunday mornings is terrific, but when he's alone on the FAN something is definitely missing. And his television show is awful.

I've always felt -- and plenty of listeners have said the same -- that Russo solo on Saturday mornings was much more enjoyable than his shift with Mike. He's looser, more himself, and doesn't have to deal with Mike's surliness. He always got along better with the callers, and that really came through on Saturdays.

I'm disappointed that Russo will have no sign-off show. I can't believe we won't hear that jingle again. I'm curious to see what Francesca's new show will be like, but it won't be the same, and I can't imagine it being better. I wonder where Russo will end up. It'd be juicy if he ended up on ESPN 1050, but the signal is so terrible out on Long Island, it would just be frustrating to try and tune in.

In any case, Neil Best of Newsday has reason to give everyone a BIG "I told you so." He reported months ago that the duo was on the outs, and got some heat for it. He was right.

As Russo would say, "Good job by Best there."