Eddie Andelman

Eddie Andelman (born 1937 [1]) is an American sports radio talk-show host. He has worked over 40 years in sports talk radio in Boston and has appeared on more than 100 sports stations throughout the country.

Early life and education

Andelman was born in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester and raised in Brookline.[2] He graduated from Boston University and earned an MBA from Northeastern University. Before starting his career in radio with WBZ in 1969, he ran his family's real estate development business.[3]

Career

Andelman's career in sports talk radio began in June 1969 on suburban station WUNR.[4] His show Sports Huddle then moved to Boston's WBZ later that year. Airing on Sundays from 7-10 p.m., the show also featured Jim McCarthy and Mark Witkin. Andelman remained at WBZ until mid-1971, when he and the show moved to WEEI. He began a television program for WNAC (now WHDH) Channel 7 in November 1972, which lasted until early 1976. He has also appeared as a host on WCVB Channel 5.

Andelman's Sports Huddle show moved to WTKK and lasted for many years until December 26, 2010.[5]

Personal life

Andelman's son David created the Phantom Gourmet restaurant-review television show. His other sons, including Dan Andelman, host the show.

Andelman and his wife Judith (whom he often called "the fabulous Judy" on his Sports Huddle talk show) live in West Palm Beach, Florida.[1] They were made honorary goodwill ambassadors by the Aruba Tourism Authority after having visited the island 53 times over 35 years.[6]

Charitable work

Hot Dog Safari

Andelman is involved with many charitable organizations, but is best known in the New England area for his Hot Dog Safari, which he has hosted since 1990, that raises money for the Joey Fund and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.[7] The idea for the event was conceived during one of his Sports Huddle shows when he named the hot dog the ultimate sports food. He and his callers then debated about the best hot dogs in the area. Andelman organized a bus trip for 200 people to various hot-dog stands. The proceeds from ticket sales were directed to the Joey Fund. Since then, the event has grown and now includes local celebrities, members of the media and professional athletes. It has raised more than a million dollars for the Joey Fund and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Other charitable works

Andelman's other efforts for charity have included:

  • Creation of the New York/Boston Unity Fund in lieu of his annual Yankees Elimination Party, which raised more than $135,000 after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Andelman was named honorary fire chief upon his visit to Ground Zero.
  • Raising $50,000 to enable paralyzed jockey Rudy Biaz to build ramps in his house.
  • Delivering baseball equipment to youth in the Dominican Republic.

Recognition

WEEI

Andelman worked at WEEI for ten years until his abrupt departure in December 2001. Reports described him as unhappy with the direction that the station had taken toward more confrontational shows such as The Dennis and Callahan Show and The Big Show. He was also said to be unhappy when the station paired him with cohost Dale Arnold for the A-Team show. Although Arnold denied any personal problems with Andelman, some reports indicated that the men disliked each other.[8][9] WEEI replaced Andelman with former television sportscaster Bob Neumeier.

Comments about WEEI

Regarding the current state of sports radio, including WEEI, Andelman observed:

"I’ve been planning this show at WTKK for almost two years. Radio should be a theater of the mind, not screaming and stupidity. ... WEEI has too many people who are not trained and not educated. They pay players and coaches to be on their shows. Then they have to watch what questions they ask. I won't pay guests. Sports radio has become public relations. Everyone kisses ass."[10]

Andelman pledged to start a movement called Fans Against Idiot Radio (FAIR) as an antidote to "venomous" WEEI.[11]

WWZN (WMEX)

In early 2002, Andelman joined WWZN, a direct competitor to WEEI in Boston[11] that also featured former Red Sox play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough and Ryen Russillo. The station also acquired the rights to broadcast Boston Celtics games for five years. WWZN eventually sold its Celtics rights to WRKO and replaced all local broadcasts in October 2005 with a nationally syndicated lineup.[12]

References
  1. Stoda, Greg, "Boston’s Eddie Andelman, godfather of sports talk, still feisty at 77", The Palm Beach Post, July 7, 2014
  2. Dupont, Kevin Paul, "Eddie Andelman to be honored at ‘Tradition’", The Boston Globe, September 7, 2014
  3. McLean, Bob, "Andelman Leaves as Channel 7 Sports Critic", Boston Globe, 31 January 1976, p. 4
  4. "See No Evil, Hear No Evil... HA!" Sports Illustrated, September 4, 1972. https://www.si.com/vault/1972/09/04/613622/see-no-evil-hear-no-evilha.
  5. Shaughnessy, Dan, Pieces of His Mind", The Boston Globe, December 18, 2010
  6. EDDIE & JUDY'S TOP 10 REASONS TO RETURN TO ARUBA | Official Travel News from Aruba Archived April 22, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Greater Media, Inc. - 17th ANNUAL EDDIE ANDELMAN’S HOT DOG SAFARI SET FOR JUNE 4, 2006 Archived September 2, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  8. Molori, John, "Andelman quits WEEI", The Eagle-Tribune, Thursday, December 13, 2001. (archived 2005)
  9. Molori, John, "Sheppard tops list to replace Andelman", The Eagle-Tribune, Friday, December 14, 2001 (archived 2005)
  10. "The Remy Report". Archived from the original on 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
  11. Eddie Andelman and the Sports Huddle
  12. Company pulls plug on WWZN's local shows - The Boston Globe
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